Growing Hydrangeas BY ROSEMARY BLACK
With their splashy bright colors and big, puffy blooms, hydrangeas are one of summer’s signature flowers. They are also a low-stress choice for home gardeners looking to embellish their garden next spring. Since they bloom right into the fall, they are an excellent option if you want to hang on to a little bit of summer.
“We sell a lot of hydrangeas,” says Nancy DeCrenza, who owns Pinesbridge Nursery in Ossining with her husband Bobby. There are so many varieties and heights to consider. If you choose the tree form, don’t plant them in an area where they will block your windows as they grow, advises Nancy.
chester County, in Elmsford. “Florist hydrangeas may not be hardy, so check with the nursery,” she cautions. “Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea) and H. quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea) are among the many varieties that are available and the color is really a matter of personal choice,” she says. In terms of hardiness, Eric explains, “Hardiness in horticultural speak means winter survivability: when a plant can survive at an average winter temperature of 10 degrees. Hydrangeas will survive a winter, and they also tend to have a long bloom window.”
avoid watering in the afternoon or evening and on cloudy or windy days.” HOW TO TAKE CUTTINGS Take a cutting from a branch of the hydrangea shrub that is five or six inches long, recommends Amy. Many experts agree the cutting will work best if taken from a branch that did not flower during the past year. Remove the lower leaves of the bottom two leaf nodes (the node is where the leaf comes out of the branch), Next, cut the largest leaves down so they are about half their size. Dip the cuttings into rooting hormone (an optional step) and insert them into damp vermiculite. Water the cuttings and let them drain. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Next, cover the cuttings and pot with plastic, making sure to keep the plastic away from the leaves to improve air circulation in the humid chamber. To help with this, you can add stakes.
Hydrangeas also do very well at the seaNot sure which variety to plant? “One of shore. “They like the ocean and the salt the most popular and easiest hydran- air,” Nancy says. geas to grow is Endless Summer,” says EricCio-ofHardscrabbleFarmsinNorth WHEN TO PLANT AND Salem. “The traditional older varieties will WHEN TO WATER bloom on old wood,” he explains. “But the Spring is a great time to plant hydrangeas, Endless Summer has been hybridized so Cio-says.Butbesuretokeepupwiththe HOW TO REPLANT HYDRANGEAS that the previous season’s growth – the watering because as summer grows closer, Wait for dormancy to replant. “Dig it up old wood – can produce flower buds. they can easily dry out. You can also plant when it is already asleep,” Nancy recomIt blooms on old and new growth and it them in the fall, but avoid planting hydran- mends. “Start replanting in March or April. blooms right into the fall.” geas in the summer. Just don’t replant in the summertime when it is hot. June is okay but touchy. Or you In terms of color, blue is the most popular, When you do plant them, leave enough could replant in the fall.” although pink is right up there, according space between them for adequate air cirto Nancy. “We carry one that is white and culation, Eric recommends. Water them Whenever you choose to plant hydrangeas, pink, too,” she says. “Then we have anoth- every day in the summer, but be careful not this is one gorgeous choice that will provide er lace cap hydrangea that is almost irides- to overwater. color and cheer for months at a time. cent. There are lots of choices.” n n n The best time to water is between 4 a.m. Rosemary Black, a mom of seven and a If you aren’t sure which to plant, check and 8 a.m., says Amy. Evaporation is low resident of Pleasantville, writes frequentwith your local nursery, recommends Amy during this time so more water is absorbed ly on health, nutrition, parenting and Albam, a community horticulture educator by the soil. Leaves will dry quickly once food. She is author of six cookbooks including TheMarleyCo-•eeCookbook. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of West- the sun rises. Amy further advises, “Try to spring 2022
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