HYDRANGEAS ARE HERE

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 see the same show as last year (2024) when rain was plentiful for 10 solid months, the winter of 2024 was mild, and spring 2024 didn’t have those annoying temperature fluctuations. 

Despite a very dry summer and fall (at least in the Northeast), most of my hydrangeas are either flowering or have buds ready to open any day now. The ones that are slow are the new additions which I am trialing. I give them at least 2 seasons before deciding if they live up to the hype that preceded them. But the majority of big leaf (macrophylla) species are coming along nicely.

When I examined them this year in spring, they looked awful. I was sure there wouldn’t be a flower anywhere. But I was wrong and am now enjoying watching them develop. Some are slower than others but I believe there are always lessons to be learned each season.

LESSONS LEARNED 

For example, one plant that might have been very dependable might be struggling this season. The thing to do is examine the cultural conditions for that plant. Has the light changed as a result of neighboring tree growth – or maybe a tree was lost? This analysis led me to a plan to transplant some hydrangeas this fall to fix that light issue. 

Our dry season caused me to further assess the water retention of the soil of some plants and sure enough, I needed to amend/add compost to improve that condition. But I also needed to edit out some companion plants that had multiplied and were robbing the hydrangea of water necessary for its survival. Think about doing the same assessment for your plants if their flower production and/or general health has changed.

THINK ABOUT TRANSPLANTING

Now is also a good time to start to decide if you need to move any plants. Or maybe replace some that are just not looking the way they should. I use Marie Kondo’s idea and ask myself if the plant “sparks joy.” If it does, I leave it alone.  If not, I figure out what to change. You can read about transplanting here.

DOES YOUR SOIL NEED IMPROVING

Besides moving plants, maybe you need to take some time to amend your soil. This could be the time to get a soil test and add the proper amendment to change the color of your flowers, or the right fertilizer, or compost, etc. And if you missed a spring fertilizing cycle, you can catch up. Your rebloomers will appreciate a little boost now, too.

Rose-tone Fertilizer Is very good for hydrangeas

ENJOY YOUR HYDRANGEAS

And of course, take the time to enjoy your flowers and hard work. Fall is just around the corner. Before you know it, you will need to get yourself ready for putting your babies to sleep.

UPCOMING TALKS

I am headed to Cape Cod in July to speak at Beacon Gardens on the Cape on July 17. It’s a free event but you must pre-register. 

In August I am scheduled to deliver 2 classes at the NY Botanical Garden. Both are fee based and virtual so you can attend from anywhere:

OTHER NEWS

Lastly, I am pleased to tell you that my best-selling hydrangea book has won another award. The electronic version of SUCCESS WITH HYDRANGEAS, A GARDENER’S GUIDE has been awarded the coveted 2024 Division Grand Prize for Instruction & Insight from the Chanticleer Independent Book Awards. 

Success With Hydranngeas was awarded the Grand Prize in its category from Chanticleer International Book Awards

Thanks for reading!