hydrangeas 101 - 2016-01 · 13 • serrata“blue billow” blue or pink? •soil ph and...
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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Hydrangeas For Ohio GardensBlooms Throughout the Year
Eric Barrett
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
FeaturesGrowing
Hydrangeas
The name comes from the Greek "hydor" meaning "water" referring to the plant's preference for moisture
and"aggeion" meaning "vessel" referring to the shape of the seed capsule.
More than just ‘mopheads’…
• More than one type of hydrangea!
• Old wood bloomers have given them a bad name in garden circles
• More cultivars now than ever!
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Many Features!
•Bark•Flower life•Faded flowers•Fall leaf color
A Woodland Plant
• Require moist, well‐drained soil in partial shade.
• Full sun can bleach and scorch the flowers.
• Overexposure to sun and/or too little water will cause the leaves to droop.
• Saying that…
Moisture
• Consistent moisture!• Moisture is…
– Based on soil type– Depends on amount of shade
• Plants should be watered thoroughly during prolonged dry spells. Shallow rooted
evergreen trees will out
compete for moisture!
Pay attention to the tag!I tend to be skeptical about the use of zone 5 on macrophylla, “This means it will survive there, but does not always mean it will thrive there”
Is this a signal to you?
Powdery Mildew?
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Pronounced “Ser-kos-pora”
Survival
• Know the zone(but don’t always trust it!)
• Visit other gardens to see what they are able grow successfully
• Start with everything but macrophylla, then add them slowly– Old wood bloomers!– New wood bloomers?
Soil
• Loam is required• Perfect mix of all three soil components – Sand, Silt, Clay
• Balanced drainage• Balanced water holding capacity
Diameter of fine sand is
1,000x larger than largest clay particle!
Planting
• Even after soil, etc – the site will make you or break you!–Air & Sunlight–Morning Sun, dappled afternoon shade
• Loosen Roots• Crown at soil line, not ↓↑
asdf
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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
GrowingChart
Use the chart• An outline for you to use for your garden• Based on personal experience and the literature
• Other cultivars will grow, these are just suggestions to get started
PG
Bloom Time
Cluster plantings to give the look of constant blooms:
arborescens (spring) paniculata (late summer)quercifolia(Spring) macrophylla (allsummer)arborescens (spring) anomala (earlysummer)macrophylla (allsummer) paniculata (late summer)
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No Blooms! Failure?
There is no simple answer• Variety/Cultivar
– Mostly on macrophylla– On quercifolia after ‘13‐’14, ‘14‐’15 winters
• Location• Pruning• Winter protection• Fertilization ‐ Too much N!• Water/Shade
Success
• For most success in Ohio– Shade to part shade– Consistent moisture
• When it comes to macrophylla– Soil conditions must be 1st
– Plan to watering (min 1” per week)– Some form of winter wind protection to preserve blooms on old wood (although many bloom on new wood)
– Spring protection from late frosts– Heavy feeders
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Arborescens
Arborescens
• I consider this the easiest to grow!• Native to North America • Easy to propagate• Cut to ground in late fall/early spring
– Unless you want scraggly blooms– Selective pruning in early spring– Less stems = Larger blooms
• Early bloomer
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Annabe
lleGrandiflora
• Somewhat larger petals
Indrediball®
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Invicibelle
•Pink•Somewhat picky
•No hot sun, proper soil, more moisture, but good drainage
Invincibelle Spirit‐I®
Mine – 5” across
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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
quercifolia Oakleaf
• Snowflake
September
Aging Snowflake bloomin perfect site (dappled shade)
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Alice
Alice – Faded flowers
Gatsby Star; Gatsby Moon
Snow Queen
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Fall Foliage
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
macrophylla BigLeaf
Nikko BlueThe Mother of Modern Big Leaf
Endless Summer
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Endless Summer
Blushing Bride
May 12, 2015
March 30, 2016
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• Pia• Consistent moisture!! Zone 5‐11• Mostly ends up dark pink‐purple combo
Buds live to ‐20?
Peace (similar to Double Delights)
Doub
le Delights
Twist‐n‐Shout ®
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• Serrata “Blue Billow”
Blue or Pink?
• Soil pH and corresponding available aluminum. • At lower pH levels (acid soils), aluminum is more readily
available to the plant and flowers become blue.• At higher pH ranges (more alkaline soils), aluminum is
less available and flowers are pink. • Changing soil pH is a gradual process and requires a soil
test for accuracy. – Blue: 1/2 cup of wettable sulfur per 10 square feet and water‐in– Pink: One cup of dolomitic lime per 10 square feet and water‐in– Raising pH takes longer than lowering. It may be next year
before a noticeable change to pink flowers.
Winter Care?
• Your Options– May prune back some before protecting– Cover with mulch (like a rose)– Cover with a container, tub, etc
• Lack of spring protection may be your problem (the way to protect tender foliage and buds)
• These are all SECONDARY to proper soil conditions!
Macrophylla Success
• All purpose, soluble fertilizer (i.e.‐Miracle Grow)
• Fertilize:– At bud emergence– Memorial Day– 4th of July – Labor Day
• Cover in April if a chance for frost!!
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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
anomala Climbing
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris
Climbing Hydrangeas
• Hydrangea anomala– Stains, but doesn’t get into mortar– Slower grower at first– Faster after 3 years
• North side? Protected?– Mine back at the home farm was killed by the April wind/freeze in 2007, otherwise they are generally easy to grow and keep!
– This has NOT happened since then!
Petiolaris Firefly
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spp. glabra – difficult to find!
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
paniculata Panicle
tardiva
Bombshell
Compact2‐3’lime
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Little Lime
Vanilla Strawberry tm
(red stems!)
Some like this because flower stems weaken in winter and fall off!
October! Purple by Thanksgiving
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Great Star ®
Great Star ®
Little Lamb
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Limelight
‘Pink Diamond’
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OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Today’sOptions
• Oakleaf Mix– Gatsby’s Star – 6‐10’, Double, pointed petals– Gatsby’s Moon – 6‐10’, Double Rounded petals
• Paniculata Mix (More blooms, low and wide)– Bobo – up to 3’, 8+’ white flowers fade to pink– Bombshell – 3’, slightly golden to white blooms, fade to pink
• Smooth (arborescens) – Invincibelle Spirit II – larger pink blooms!
Evaluations!
1’s - Bad
5’s - Good
Please read
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Usethechart!Zone,water,light
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