Hydrangea macrophyllaWedding Gown, also called Dancing Snow, is a reblooming shrub.
It is a popular bridal bouquet choice, but gardeners also love its double flowers.
The plants foliage is naturally dark green, contrasting gorgeously against its elegant blooms.
Hosta.Credit: Photo courtesy of Andrea_44
Wedding gown hydrangea is toxic to animalsand humans.
Where to Plant Wedding Gown Hydrangea
Wedding gown hydrangea is hardy in Zones 5-10.
The plant prefers light shade and rich,well-drained soil.
Hosta.Credit: Photo courtesy of Andrea_44
It also does fine in areas with morning sunshine as long as there is shade in the afternoon.
Flowering begins in late spring or early summer and continues until fall.
Plant the shrub during cooler temperatures, such as early morning or late afternoon.
Credit: Karlis Grants
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the size of the root ball.
Remove the plant from its nursery pot and place it in the hole.
Addorganic matterto the soil and backfill the hole, tamping down as you go.
Cover with mulch and keep well watered until the shrub becomes established.
Moving this plant to a different spot in your garden is easy.
However, too much shade reduces the amount of flowers a plant produces.
If shade isnt available, extra water is helpful.
Water deeply twice weekly to get moisture down to the roots; light watering isnt sufficient.
Drooping leaves are an indication that your plant needs more water.
Dont overwater because this variety of hydrangea doesnt do well in soggy soil.
Yellow leaves indicate overwatering.
Mild climates, between 65oF and 75oF, are ideal.
Dont overusenitrogen fertilizeras it encourages foliage growth, not flowers.
Brown edges on the leaf tips result from overfertilization.
Avoid cutting the plant back in the fall.
Branches can be left up during winter to add texture and visual interest.
Use potting soil with organic matter, and be careful not to overwater.
Like hydrangeas grown in a garden,potted hydrangeasneed minimal fertilizer if the soil is high-quality.
Garden pestslike Japanese beetles andaphidscan also be troublesome.
If the shrub is flowering, remove the pests by hand-picking them instead of spraying the plant.
Avoid harsh chemicals when treating your plants, and opt for an insecticidal soap instead.
In early summer, takestem cuttingsthat contain two or three nodes from semi-hardwood stems.
Remove the leaves from the lower half of each cutting and dip the cut end inrooting hormone.
Place the cut end in a pot filled with moist potting mix and firm the soil around the cutting.
Place the pot inbright, indirect light.
The cutting should root in four to six weeks.
Varieties with variegated leaves do better with some sun.
Hosta is hardy in Zones 3-9.
Grow the plant in shady spots in Zones 4-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wedding gown hydrangea flowers work well in many types of bouquets.
The blooms look lovely with rich green foliage in bridal bouquets.
In summer arrangements, the lacecap darlings pair well with romantic pink blooms.
Wedding gown hydrangea can rebloom ifits flowers are deadheaded.
The first bloom occurs in spring, and a second can occur in summer, lasting into fall.
Wedding gown hydrangea is white all season until late fall.
If the blooms are not deadheaded or pruned, they turn a dark red right before winter.
