Gardens
HYDRANGEAS Something we all remember growing in our grandmother’s garden.
H
ydrangeas are workhorses in the garden. They produce sumptuous petals of colour to add beauty to your garden. But they need not be forgotten once their flowers have died. Hydrangeas can be captured easily in dried flower arrangements, providing the last gasp of the summer garden. Pick the blooms on a clear dry day in late summer and hang to dry. H. macrophylla and H. paniculata 'Grandiflora' are especially good for
drying. Most species of hydrangeas can be grown in either full sun or partial shade. They are resistant to most insects and diseases. They can be grown in a wide range of soil but prefer a rich, moist soil and should be planted where watering will not be a problem. Avoid dry windy sites, as their large, soft leaves lose water quickly, especially on hot, windy days, causing the foliage to wilt. Flowers are produced on the new growth; therefore, it is important that hydrangeas be given some care each season to ensure that vigorous new growth occurs. Irrigate plants weekly to replace moisture loss. Prune flower stems after they have bloomed. Fertilise hydrangeas in early spring with a complete granular fertiliser at the rate of 2 pounds per one hundred square feet. Apply fertiliser as broadcast top dressing. During long periods of drought, water thoroughly each week.
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