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Hydrangea
Botanical name - Hydrangea
Common name - Hydrangea
Description - Deciduous shrub and Vines
Sunset zone(s) - Vary by species
Exposure - Partial shade in hottest climates
Water requirements - Regular water
General Information - Hydrangeas bloom throughout
summer and fall. They have large bold leaves and large clusters of flowers.
Flower clusters may contain sterile or fertile flowers or as in the lace cap
hydrangea, they may have a cluster of small fertile flowers surrounded by a ring
of larger sterile flowers. Sterile flowers on hydrangeas will last for a number
of months. However, their color will gradually fade.
In some hydrangea varieties the color is affected by the pH
content of the soil. A blue color flower can be maintained if the hydrangea is
planted in a soil with a strong acid content (a pH level of below 5.5). Pink or
red flowers can be maintained in a neutral or alkaline soil (a pH level of 7.0
or higher). It is not unusual for a plant to change from blue flowers to pink
flowers when it is planted out, depending on the pH level of your soil. Flowers
can be kept (or made) blue by adding aluminum sulfate to the soil. They can also
be kept or made pink / red by adding superphosphate or liming the soil. This is
not a process that can be achieved overnight, the soil must be amended prior to
the flowers blooming.
Popular species - Arborescens, Smooth Hydrangea;
Macrophyllia, Garden Hydrangea; Quercifolia, Oakleaf Hydrangea.
Nursery Notes - The soil and shade can be crucial for
Hydrangea. Rich porous soil is required. Hydrangeas can be pruned to keep their
shape. If you like larger flower clusters, prune the Hydrangea to reduce the
number of stem. If you like a lot of medium size flowers, keep more of the
stems.
Additional help - The following information sheets may help
you with this plant
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