The Hydrangea in the Garden – Thirsty Beauty with Character

For a long time, hydrangeas were considered old-fashioned, stodgy, and outdated. Hard to believe, as hydrangeas are more popular than ever. With their large blooms and picturesque growth, hydrangeas are a great addition to any garden.

Hydrangeas are undemanding garden residents. There are now over 80 different species. And as different as these species may be, they all have one thing in common: they are always thirsty.

Water plays a very central role for hydrangeas. The botanical name of the hydrangea is Hydrangea, which translates roughly to "water jug." No wonder the hydrangea has such a strong connection to water. It truly lives up to its name and requires regular, generous amounts of water to feel comfortable and grow well. If hydrangeas don't receive enough water, they can quickly droop. If this happens for several days during the summer, the hydrangea may die. However, if you notice in the evening that your hydrangea is wilting, giving it a good soak in water will often restore its vitality, and within a few hours, the hydrangea will once again shine brightly, matching the beautiful weather. Luckily, hydrangeas aren't resentful of short dry spells. However, it's also important not to overwater the plant. Hydrangeas are just as sensitive to waterlogging as they are to drought.

To ensure that hydrangeas bloom beautifully for a long time, they need the right location. Most hydrangeas thrive in partial shade or full shade. Only panicle and snowball hydrangeas can tolerate a sunny spot, provided they are watered sufficiently. Otherwise, hydrangeas prefer a shaded spot, where they still need regular watering. Apart from their water needs, hydrangeas are very low-maintenance in the garden and reward regular watering with abundant blooms. Panicle hydrangeas are not only more tolerant of sunny spots, but they are also very hardy. Overwintering hydrangeas is generally not a big issue. Hydrangeas in pots can be moved to a frost-free winter location, such as a garage or cellar, while planted hydrangeas are protected by branches or leaves. The spent flower heads remain on the plants over the winter, serving as natural frost protection and helping the hydrangea survive the winter. Pruning is done in spring, so that the new shoots can grow well.

The care of hydrangeas varies slightly depending on the species. While all hydrangeas love water, not all require pruning or specific soil. Let’s start with pruning: it depends on the type of hydrangea. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), for example, don’t need heavy pruning. Simply removing the old blooms in spring is enough to allow new shoots to grow. In contrast, panicle and snowball hydrangeas benefit from a strong pruning in early spring, as it helps them develop stronger stems.

When it comes to fertilizing, hydrangeas thrive on a specialized fertilizer. They love a nitrogen-rich complete fertilizer with a low phosphorus content. For blue hydrangeas to retain their blue flowers, more than just fertilizer is needed. The soil pH should always be between 4.0 and 5.0 for blue hydrangeas. Rhododendron soil is particularly well-suited for hydrangeas. Additionally, the presence of aluminum is crucial for maintaining blue blooms. To keep the blue color, 1-2 tablespoons of potassium alum should be scattered around the plant in early spring. This ensures that the blue-flowered hydrangea retains its vibrant blue color for a long time.