BEAUTIFUL LATE SEASON HYDRANGEAS

Big Leaf Hydrangea In Its Autumn Colors

You have probably heard hydrangeas described as having a beautiful “antique” season of color, the late season. In most cases, the plants being discussed are big leaf (macrophylla) and mountain (serrata) hydrangeas. But don’t discount the oakleaf (quercifolia) and woodland/smooth (arborescens) hydrangeas. Their flowers also change into other colors. More about them later…

Read More

HYDRANGEA PRUNING

A collage of hydrangeas from the Shamrock Collection in France

My apologies for being absent for so long. I have been working on a new hydrangea book about pruning to the exclusion of just about everything else. But I am seeing lots of questions in a variety of formats asking about hydrangea pruning. Clearly, it’s time to open the hydrangea pruning discussion for 2021.

Read More

PRUNING YOUR HYDRANGEAS

Hydrangea Paniculata 'Tickled Pink' Mid-Season

If your hydrangeas live in the milder parts of the U.S. and Europe, and the spirit moves you, you can consider pruning only your new wood blooming hydrangeas now. It’s hard to conceive of that when you live where I do. Last March we had 3 Nor’easters. Not only did they bury everything, but the…

Read More

‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea Leaves Closed

Leaves stuck together on woodland/smooth hydrangea

Are your ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea leaves closed? To start with, inspect them and any other woodland/smooth (arborescens) hydrangeas you may have, e.g., Incrediball® or Invincibelle® Spirit. You may notice the same situation like my leaves in the photo. Interesting, huh? Don’t panic!

Read More

Hydrangea Leaves Stuck Together

Leaves stuck together on woodland/smooth hydrangea

Why are some hydrangea leave stuck together? Take a look at your ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea and any other hydrangea arborescens you may have like Incrediball® or Invincibelle® Spirit. You may notice some of the leaves stuck together and cupped. It looks like these leaves on my Invincibelle® Spirit. Pretty interesting, huh? Don’t panic!

Read More

Last Call To Prune New Wood Flowering Hydrangeas

This is your last call to prune new wood flowering hydrangeas. If you haven’t cut back your hydrangeas that bloom on this year’s stems — your new wood bloomers — you are running out of time. We’re talking about ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas, and all those beautiful Invincibelle® Spirits, Incrediballs®, and other hydrangea arborescens. New wood flowering…

Read More