Wee Bit Grumpy Hydrangea

Upon Arrival:

Bare Root Trees & Shrubs need to be kept moist at all times. Once your plant arrives open the bag it came in and immerse the whole plant in water for several hours before potting or planting. The roots will re-hydrate and enable new bud growth to develop successfully.

Shrubs can be planted as soon as you can dig in your garden in early spring. You do not have to wait until frosts are over. These shrubs are hardy and can withstand cold temperatures. 

If it is very cold in your area these plants should be hardened off before planted outside. Either gradually acclimatize the plant in a part sun location outdoors for a few hours a day or if you choose to plant, it is recommended to cover with straw or an old blanket if a hard frost threatens.

If you cannot plant within a day or two, these plants should be potted up into bigger containers, kept in a bright location and watered regularly. Before planting, remove all packaging material, then soak the entire plant, stems and roots, in a pail of water for several hours. Trim off any broken roots or branches before planting.

Planting:

Morning sun and afternoon shade is preferred where summers are very hot. Plant at least 4 feet apart and dig a hole approximately 1-2 inches wider than the diameter of the root ball and back fill with well drained, fertile soil up to the base of the shrub. Plant so that crowns are 1” below soil level in moist, fertile soil, 12-18” apart.

Growing:

Keep soil moist and use mulch. Big leaf hydrangeas prefer an acidic soil - especially if you want blue blooms. pH 4.5 to 5.5 is best for blue blooms, pH 6 to 6.5 is ideal for pink /red blooms. In the absence of a soil test, broadcast ½ cup of wettable sulphur per 10 sq. feet and water it in. You can also fertilize with an acid fertilizer such as Miracid. For pink blooms, broadcast a cup of lime per 10 square feet and water in it. You should do this once or twice a season. It may take a season or two for colour to change. Be careful to not make the soil too alkaline (pH 7 or higher) as that is not healthy for hydrangea.

On a mature plant the blooms last 4-6 weeks or longer. They are beautiful when dried. Do NOT cut the brown stems off in the winter. Blooms are mostly produced on year old wood. When a bush is 3-4 years old, remove one third of the oldest or weakest stems right to the ground, immediately after the blooms appear.

Note:  Many hydrangeas will rebloom, which means they bloom at their expected time and then if only the spent blooms have been deadheaded or cut off, most bloom again later in the same season.

For more information on Growing Hydrangeas click here.

Pruning:

For information about Pruning Shrubs click here