Hydrangea: how to grow it in pots or in the garden

Everything you need to know to grow and care for hydrangeas, from pruning to cutting, from soil pH to exposure

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a ornamental plant very common in the gardens that it decorates with its wonderful colors. It is a plant native to China, which arrived in Europe in the 18th century and is now normally grown almost everywhere both in pots and in the garden.





The leaves of the hydrangea are of a beautiful bright green color, have a serrated edge and are deciduous. However, what interests gardeners and those who love hydrangeas most is the color of their flowers which for some varieties can change depending on the pH of the soil.

Let's find out how to grow hydrangeas in pots and in the garden, how to prune them and how to best keep the color of their flowers.

Index

Origin of the name

The scientific name of this genus officially dates back to Linnaeus even though it was probably the Dutch botanist Gronovius, the first to use the scientific name Hydrangea, which derives from the Greek words ὕδωρ (hydor) "water" and ἄγγος (angos) "vase" and therefore it means "vessel of water", due to the shape of the fruit similar to water cups.

The origin of the common name hydrangea derives from another scientific name of the same genus Hortensia, attributed by the naturalist Pilibert Comerson it is assumed, in honor of Mrs. Nicole-Reine Lepaute, familiarly called Ortensia.

Species and family

Of the hydrangea, whose scientific name is Hydrangea, about 23 species are known united by erect or climbing woody shrubs of the Hydrangeaceae family. Many of them are grown in greenhouses and gardens for their showy clusters of flowers, usually ball-shaped. ù

The wild hydrangea (H. arborescens) is a shrub just over 1 meter tall, has rounded clusters of white flowers. The French hydrangea (H. macrophylla) is instead widely cultivated in many varieties for its large clusters of flowers with colors ranging from pink, to lavender, to blue and, very rarely, white.


The colors of the flowers and PH of the soil

Hydrangea: how to grow it in pots or in the garden

I hydrangea flowers they are gathered in basically spherical inflorescences that can take on different colors: pink, blue, white and violet are the most common shades. Some gardening enthusiasts know how to grow hydrangeas to get flowers of a certain color.


In fact, for the varieties H. macrophylla and H. serrata the rule of soil pH which determines the color of the flowers. The pigments of hydrangea flowers are sensitive to the presence of aluminum ions. Ultimately, intervening to change the pH of the soil where the hydrangea grows can change the color of the flowers of this plant.

- Hydrangea flowers blu: if the soil pH is acidic, lower than 6.
- Hydrangea flowers pink: if the soil pH is basic / alkaline, higher than 6.

Le hydrangeas of blue color they grow into a acidic soil while pink colored hydrangeas grow in alkaline soil. If you prefer to keep the color of your hydrangeas blue, try to make the soil more acidic by adding coffee grounds. Alternatively, you can find specific products in gardening shops.

How to grow hydrangea in the garden

To grow hydrangea in the garden you will need to start from a plant purchased in the nursery or from a hydrangea cutting made by you from another plant or received as a gift.

Dig a hole deep enough in the ground to fit the hydrangea roots smoothly and fill it with a mix of fresh soil and peat. If you want to keep the pH of the soil acidic, add some coffee grounds or use a soil suitable for acidophilic plants.


Hydrangea loves cool and humid environments, it prefers the partial shade position and can not stand direct sun exposure. So to grow hydrangea you can choose a sheltered corner of your garden or one that is not in full sun.

Water for water the hydrangeas it must not be too calcareous in order not to alter the pH of the soil. For example, you can store and use rainwater if the tap water is calcareous. Water them often because the surface of the soil must always be moist. Increase watering in summer and during flowering. The advice is to water the hydrangeas early in the morning and in the evening, twice a day in hot weather.


How to grow hydrangea in pots

To grow hydrangea in pots, follow the same guidelines as for hydrangea grown in the garden, with some extra care. Choose a large enough pot, proportionate to the size of the plant.

Always empty the saucer of the hydrangea for avoid water stagnation which could cause the roots to rot and the plant to die. If you live in an area with cold winters you are well advised to growing hydrangea in pots so you can move it inside in the months with the most rigid climate, leaving it in rooms with a temperature of 13-15 ° C.

To ensure that the size of your hydrangea remains suitable for growing in pots prune the plant during the rest period, ideally after the end of flowering in the fall or winter and before the arrival of spring.

How to prune hydrangea

To prune the hydrangea well it is necessary to intervene for eliminate the damaged branches, too long or crossing each other so as to give the plant a harmonious shape. You will also have to remember to intervene with the pruning of hydrangeas at the end of winter, when the climate becomes milder and to favor future flowering. Hydrangeas bloom in the summer and into early autumn. Read also: HOW TO PRUN THE HYDRANGEAS AND MAKE A TALEA 

Finally bear in mind that hydrangeas should be pruned only to contain them and after flowering, to clean them of damaged or weak branches.

How to make a hydrangea cutting

Until the end of autumn is the perfect time for make hydrangea cuttings in order to have a vigorous seedling to transplant in spring. The cuttings are used to obtain other hydrangea plants from an existing plant. So you can enrich your garden with new hydrangeas or give them away. To find out more, watch the video:

Hydrangea, meaning of flowers

The meaning of hydrangea flowers is linked to a love story. Philibert Commerson, the naturalist explorer who first brought hydrangea from China to Europe, had his lover Hortense Barrè at his side during the exploration expedition, who participated dressed as a man. The name of the flower clearly derives from the woman's name. Giving hydrangea flowers as a gift means declaring your love for a person, a unique and profound love.

About hydrangea you might also be interested in:

  • Plant and care for thousands of hydrangeas to save his village from abandonment
  • How to prune hydrangeas and make a cutting (VIDEO)
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