Success With Hydrangeas Blog

HYDRANGEA INSECT MANAGEMENT Now that spring has sprung in many parts of the U.S., it’s time to talk about hydrangea insect management. For me, insect management is all about doing no harm. There is no reason these days to use products that poison you, the gardener, or the planet. If you have purchased my book, there…

Thinking about hydrangea spring pruning? Despite the fact that I still have a foot of snow on the ground, like you I am getting itchy fingers. If you can, take some time now to get organized and refresh your spring pruning chops.

It might sound a little strange to be talking about hydrangeas in February, but if you garden in mild climates like the Pacific Northwest and southern areas of the U.S., it’s possible for you to start working on your hydrangeas now. SHOULD YOU PRUNE YOUR HYDRANGEAS NOW Depending on the kind of hydrangea you have,…

My hydrangea book is on sale at Amazon. As of this morning, Success With Hydrangeas, A Gardener’s Guide is being discounted by 28% (off their normal  price) by Amazon. I don’t know how long this will last but if you want a hard copy version of this award-winning book, get it now.  Amazon normally sells…

New hydrangeas for 2026? Say it ain’t so! Don’t we have enough of them already?? Apparently not. So let’s dive in.   Happy New Year! As we head into a new gardening year, I thought you might want to know about the new hydrangeas you might see at your local garden center. Some of them…

Pruning and fertilizing hydrangeas mid-season is something you should consider. In my part of the U.S. this is my final seasonal opportunity to give my hydrangeas their last cuts and food for this year. Maybe for you too. PRUNING YOUR HYDRANGEA TO IMPROVE YOUR PLANTS’ LOOK If you were lucky enough to get flowers on…

Hydrangeas are here finally! Worry and anticipation are over now that I can see flowers and buds. Like you, I have been holding my breath to see what the hydrangea show will be this year. GROWING CONDITIONS WEREN’T GREAT I am delighted to tell you the flower show is excellent. BUT, don’t think you will…

It is now late spring and your hydrangeas are calling you. The clock is ticking and hydrangeas are waking up. Those that flower on new wood like ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Limelight’ have begun their growth cycle. If you haven’t already pruned them back, now is the time to get busy. Here’s a post I did in…

The recent warm spring temps seem to be waking up the garden and gardeners. When it comes to hydrangea spring chores, however, there are things you should do. Most importantly, there are things you should NOT do. TOOLS Clean up your tools, especially anything you use for cutting (loppers, pruning shears, snips, handsaws, etc.). Wash…

Despite the warmer temps we are having, my Connecticut garden is still snow- and ice-covered: way too early to start any spring chores. But it’s not too early to dream about what’s to come. And the breeders and growers are obliging us with many new hydrangeas for 2025 to drool over. BIG LEAF (MACROPHYLLA) HYDRANGEAS…