Hydrangea help!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Tesco's had reduced Hydrangea plants, quite big ones about 20" high for just £2.00 each!!! Hydrangeas have to be my favourite flower and so I couldn't resist and bought two!

The only problem is, I have had Hydrangeas in the past and killed them both (probably because I wasn't into gardening like I am now). Does anyone have any hints, tips or suggestions for where I should plant them and how I should look after them?

Thanks all x

[Shetty]

I think they need ericaceaous compost to develop the 'right' colour.
Good luck anyway, my flowers always thrive on neglect. Well that's what my neighbour tells me

[hiyatim]

hey hollie, i have two hydrangers which i got a couple of years back and they seem to be great, never had to do a thing with them. i put mine in a really wet part of my garden as i had heard the drink alot of water so i was hoping they would dry it up some, i think its worked and they seem fine. hope this helps

[stupo74]

H Hollie,
Got a couple of "Nice" Hydrangeas here in the gardens,
the Blue 1, belongs to one of the residents, and the other is in one of the beds at the front of the flats,,,,, I think the Pink 1 needs a feed, as its just starting to flower, and the leaves are a little distressed in places.
Hope the pics load ok, tried another way today????

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, I planted one in the garden a few years ago and amazingly it is still growing and covered in flower heads (still in bud). The flower colour is dependant on your soil type. Acid soil gives blue flowers and an alkaline soil gives pink flowers. If I can grow it then anyone can!!

[stupo74]

Hi All,
Boss Lady is right again, about the soil and colours etc,
However, you can always cheat
cheers stupo

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by stupo74

Hi All,
Boss Lady is right again, about the soil and colours etc,
However, you can always cheat
cheers stupo

Hiya Paul,

I'm just really happy that the hydrangea is still growing strong each year - the flowers can be any colour they like!!!

I wish Les would let me grow veg plants in the flower beds!

[Hollie the Wollie]

Thanks for the help guys! I am not bothered for what colour they are, I just like them. My mum said you can get climbing ones, which may be nice also.

Does anyone know whether they prefer shade or sun or partial? I planned to put them quite close to a 6ft fence that means its ever so shaded.

[hiyatim]

mine are next to a 6 foot fence too and close to the house also so shading on 2 sides

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Hollie, apparently hydrangeas are happy growing in partial shade. Here's a link to a climbing hydrangea - they don't half grow big!

Buy climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. 'petiolaris': Delivery by Crocus.co.uk

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh thanks so much, they sound ideal for my fence. I have heard that they take a couple of years to get going, but that's ok, Im patient (sort of!).

[chrissy]

i have one which i got for my birthday in july and its in a big pot outside my front door and its grown a lot

[Farmer Styles]

I love Hydrangea's too, so much so i have 3 'ordinary' and 1 climbing!
They like lots of water and you don't cut the last dead heads off over winter you have to wait until the last frost has gone in spring and new buds are showing before you cut them off.

I have to move one soon and i hope it doesn't get damaged in the move. Any advice on moving on will be gratefully received!
(",)

[Katkatkat]

Hi,

I hope it's ok to hyjack this thread, it seems silly to start a new one on the same topic. I've just been given use of a border in a garden and as the lady doesn't like eating things from the garden I said I'd also grow some plants for her. She really likes hydrangeas but I've only come across giant ones that take up the whole border. Are there any smaller varieties out there that wouldn't spread more than about a metre?

[airconednightmare]

Hydrangea serrata 'bluebird' according to D.G. Hessayon but the flowers arn't the big balls of colour you might be thinking of.

having said that i see no good reason why one of the mophead types couldn't be pruned back to less tha 5ftX5ft and it will certainly take a while to get that big.