Hydrangeas are beloved for their lush foliage and vibrant blooms, bringing a touch of elegance to any garden. Understanding the factors that affect hydrangea blooms, such as light conditions and pruning requirements, is crucial to achieving a flourishing garden. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of hydrangea care helping you to encourage those spectacular blooms.

Hydrangea Varieties and Their Care

There are a lot of varieties of hydrangea available. Choose one to best meet your landscape’s conditions.

1. Hydrangea anomala ssp. Petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea)
This charming vine is perfect for covering walls, pergolas or fences. Pruning should be minimal and only done to remove dead branches or to direct the vine’s growth. Avoid cutting back unless necessary. Will tolerate sun to shade.

2. Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea)
Popular varieties include ‘Annabelle’, and ‘Incrediball’, ‘Invincibelle Spirit.’ These hydrangeas bloom on new wood, meaning you can prune them back to about 6-8 inches from the ground between late fall and early spring to encourage strong growth and abundant blooms. Prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.

3. Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)
Varieties such as ‘Bloomstruck’, ‘Cherry Explosion’, ‘Endless Summer’, ‘Grateful Red’, ‘Popstar’, ‘Twist & Shout’, and the ‘Seaside Serenade’ series fall into this category. They primarily bloom on old wood but may produce some blooms on new wood later in the season. Prune only to remove dead tips and branches, as extensive pruning can cut off potential flower buds. Perform best in morning sun and afternoon shade.

4. Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea)
Varieties like ‘Berry White’, ‘Bobo’, ‘Diamond Rouge’, ‘Limelight’, ‘Little Lime’, ‘Little Quick’, ‘Pink Diamond’, ‘Quickfire’, ‘Strawberry Sundae’, ‘Tardiva’, ‘Vanilla Strawberry’, and ‘White Diamonds’ bloom on new wood. Prune these in early spring to shape the plant or cut back as needed, which will help promote a vigorous flowering season. These are the best varieties for full sun.

5. Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
With varieties such as ‘Alice’, ‘Jetstream’, ‘Pee Wee’, ‘Ruby Slippers’, and ‘Snow Queen’, Oakleaf Hydrangeas bloom on both old and new wood. Prune only to remove dead branches, as too much pruning can remove potential flower buds. These are the most shade tolerant varieties. Plant in sun to shade, avoid full sun.

In general, hydrangeas like plenty of water, especially when newly planted. Make sure you thoroughly soak plants at least twice a week after planting.

By following these guidelines and understanding the specific needs of your hydrangea varieties, you can ensure a garden full of beautiful, vibrant blooms that will make your outdoor space shine.

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