Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Hydrangeas
Every summer, they adorn shady gardens with their soft, poetic-hued blossoms. Not only do hydrangeas delight our eyes during the warmer months, but they also have the advantage of being easy to preserve. This allows you to enjoy looking at them for a few more months! Check out Sessile.fr’s tips for caring for and preserving your hydrangeas.
Caring for Potted Hydrangeas
Caring for potted hydrangeas requires special attention to ensure they stay healthy and bloom.
Choose a pot that is large enough and has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling, which could cause the roots to rot.
Choose a rich, well-drained potting mix, ideally mixed with a little compost to provide the necessary nutrients. Water regularly, especially during the growing and blooming seasons, but avoid letting water pool in the saucer.
Place the pot in a spot where it gets morning light but is sheltered from the afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
In winter, bring the pot indoors or cover it with a winterizing cover to protect it from frost.
Finally, fertilize your hydrangea with a fertilizer specifically designed for flowering plants once a month during the growing season to encourage abundant blooms.
Caring for Hydrangeas in the Ground
Hydrangeas planted in the ground require specific care to thrive. Choose a partially shaded spot, as too much sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light can limit flowering.
The soil should be well-drained, rich in organic matter, slightly acidic, and kept moist.
Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and protect the roots from the cold in winter. Water regularly, especially in the summer, but be careful not to overwater the soil.
Prune your hydrangeas in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and abundant blooms.
Finally, adding fertilizer for acid-loving plants in the spring can improve the health and blooming of your hydrangea planted in the ground
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Color Change in Hydrangeas Grown in Soil
Hydrangea lovers know this: as surprising as it may seem, the color of hydrangea petals varies depending on soil conditions.
For example, mophead hydrangeas can turn blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. This phenomenon is caused by the presence of aluminum in the soil, which affects the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.
If you want to change the color of your hydrangeas, you can adjust the soil's pH using specific products to make the soil more acidic or more alkaline.
Pruning Hydrangeas for Beautiful Blooms
To ensure abundant blooms and keep your plant healthy, follow the pruning tips from the Sessile.fr editorial team!
Identify the type of hydrangea beforehand
There are different types of hydrangeas, and the pruning method should be adapted accordingly. Before you start pruning your hydrangeas, make sure you know what kind of hydrangea is proudly displayed in your garden.
The most common varieties of hydrangeas are:
- Hydrangea macrophylla – Large-leaved hydrangea
- Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle Hydrangea
- Hydrangea arborescens – Smooth Hydrangea
- Hortensia quercifolia – Oak-leaved hydrangea
Knowing the Right Time to Prune
- Hydrangea macrophylla: Light pruning in the summer after flowering or in early spring before new growth begins.
- Hydrangea paniculata and arborescens: Prune in late winter or early spring before active growth begins.
- Hydrangea quercifolia: Light pruning after flowering in the summer.
Tools Needed
Be sure to have this handy gardener's kit on hand:
- Well-sharpened pruning shears
- Gardening gloves
- Rubbing alcohol for cleaning tools
Steps for Pruning Hydrangeas
For macrophylla hydrangeas
- Remove wilted flowers: Cut just above the first set of leaves below the wilted flower.
- Thinning the plant: Remove weak or damaged stems from the base of the plant.
- Formative pruning: Remove the oldest branches to encourage new growth.
For Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens
- Pruning: Cut all branches back to about one-third of their total length.
- Remove dead wood: Cut away dead or diseased branches.
- Thinning: Cut back a few inner branches to allow for better air circulation.
For Hydrangea quercifolia
- Remove wilted flowers: Cut just above the first set of leaves.
- Thinning: Remove weak or damaged stems.
- Light pruning: Remove the oldest or longest branches to maintain the shape.
Quick Tips from the Sessile Editorial Team
- Be sure to always use clean tools to prevent the spread of disease.
- Never cut more than one-third of the plant at a time to avoid “stressing” it.
- Avoid pruning too late in the fall, as this could stimulate new growth that would be damaged by frost.
Preserving Freshly Cut Hydrangeas
To keep your freshly cut hydrangeas fresh, we recommend placing them in water as soon as possible to prevent them from wilting.
Use a clean vase and fill it with lukewarm water, then add a floral preservative to extend the life of the flowers. Cut the stems at an angle under running water to improve water absorption and prevent air bubbles from forming.
Change the water every two days and trim the stems as needed to keep them fresh. Place the vase in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and drafts to maximize the life of your hydrangeas.
Storing Dried Hydrangeas
Preserving dried hydrangeas adds an extra touch of charm to this flower we love so much.
Want to try drying flowers at home? Find out how to easily dry your hydrangeas with our simple, practical tips.
Once the flowers are dry, they can be sprayed with a preservative to protect them and reduce petal drop.
Sessile.fr's Guide to Caring for and Preserving Hydrangeas
At Sessile.fr, we’re huge fans of hydrangeas. Freshly cut and arranged by the artisanal florists in our network, they always make quite an impression.
Whether used as table centerpieces, decorative wreaths, or bridal bouquets, dried hydrangeas also offer endless decorative possibilities.
Don't hesitate to put your trust in the skilled hands of your favorite florist to get personalized care advice and create a floral arrangement that reflects your personality.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
