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The beautiful but tender Hydrangea macrophylla which graces the gardens of the South may also be grown outdoors successfully in the North. This plant, well-known to all as a greenhouse or florist plant in our northern cities, or as a tubbed specimen of parks and estates, will thrive with only a little more attention than afforded the forsythias and spireas of your shrub borders.

To grow these hydrangeas successfully in the North, adequate Winter protection is the primary need. Where Winters are not too cold, plants may be protected by mounding the soil about the stems in the manner accorded hybrid tea roses.

In the East, hydrangeas are a good risk as far north as Philadelphia with little or no protection. On Cape Cod, where Winters are milder than the rest of New England, hydrangeas have been grown without coddling for years by the Summer and year-round residents. They are hardy in the Boston area where they have been known to withstand sub-zero temperatures, although the branches then die to the ground. Because of the mild Winter, unprotected plants bloomed profusely last Summer as if wintered in a cool greenhouse. Likewise, Detroit gardeners were counting 80-100 blossoms on individual plants which were unusually rewarding with their rich flower crops, undoubtedly due in part to the mild Winter experienced in that part of the nation too.

During a previous record Winter of snow and cold in the East, unprotected plants near Boston bloomed fully along the lower portions where snow throughout the Winter covered the bottom branches. Of course, plants protected properly bloomed in the typical profuse manner.

But wherever there is danger of Winter injury to buds or branches careful protection will insure Summer bloom. One good way is to tie the branches together before covering with leaves or straw. Chicken wire may be used to hold the material together and a waterproof material or canvas placed on top to throw off water.

Hydrangea Needs – Simple and Few

Once given this protection, Hydrangea macrophylla needs are few and simple. In planting select a partially shaded spot as sun scorches the flowers and leaves. It does best where it gets the cooler morning rays of the sun. The east side of the house provides this as well as protection from strong winds. Or light shade cast by high-branching trees is suitable. In strong sunshine hydrangea leaves become coarse and the flowers do not last as long.

The soil for hydrangeas must be rich and slightly acid. If a pH test shows it to be less than six, peat moss or leaf mold should be added. But do not add too much, lest pink flowers turn blue. In fact, hydrangea flowers are normally pink and it is the acidity in the soil which turns them blue, lavender or purple.

If the soil is acid and pink flowers are preferred doctor it by adding lime. This may be best done by lifting the plant in the Fall, shaking the roots free of soil, and mixing lime thoroughly with the soil before resetting the plant. If you favor blue flowers, peat moss or aluminate sulphate spread about the plants will produce an array of blue-purple hues that is astonishing. Whether blue or pink, the huge hydrangea blossoms are lovely and last for many weeks, changing from tints and shades of blue and pink, to green and chatreuse tinged with rose and pink as the blossoms age.

French hydrangea, as it is also known, requires plenty of water at all times. During the Summer thorough watering is necessary every few days and a thirsty hydrangea droops more quickly – and woefully – than other garden friends. Mulching the plants will help to maintain moisture and keep down the weeds. This is important in that hydrangeas resent cultivating and even a slight scratching of the soil will injure shallow feeding roots.

Pruning Post Flower

Since hydrangea blossoms are produced on shoots developed the previous year, pruning is a post-flowering task. Faded flower heads should be removed and weak and dead wood removed along with old canes through blooming. In the Spring general cleaning and removal of Winter-killed tops is all that is necessary. As for the proper time to uncover in the Spring, wait until the weather is settled in your area, using the policy practiced in uncovering other tender garden plants.

Because flower heads are heavy tying the plants will be necessary. This is best done in the very early Spring before the buds begin to swell. Also, it is far easier and more effective to maintain an attractive shape by tying before growth has begun than after branches have sprawled haphazardly under heavy flower and foliage loads.

Three or four strong stakes should be allowed each plant. After these are placed in a circle at the outer edge of the plant, heavy string should be tied around the stakes at various intervals from bottom to top. In this way, the foliage will fill in and cover the mechanics, permitting a graceful, well-shaped specimen to develop. Sometimes individual shoots with unusually heavy flower heads will need separate tying especially to show off the tops of the blossoms, but however they may rest, hydrangea flowers are invariably things of beauty.

Hydrangea is easily rooted by cuttings from mature wood started in the Summer under glass or out-of-doors. Though roots will form, the cuttings should not be disturbed for the season. Protection for the Winter will be necessary.

There are many beautiful varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla many of which show up as potted plants in shops during the Spring months. The pinks that range from red and deep rose to blush pink, whites and those that are “blue.”

Hydrangeas are gross feeders and respond well to fertilizing. Well rotted manure is excellent and any complete fertilizer may be used. The addition of bonemeal is always helpful. Spring feeding is best and avoid applications in the late Summer or Fall in order to permit wood to harden thoroughly before plants slide into their Winter’s sleep.

For the added effort of Winter covering, the joy and beauty of these hydrangeas, now a tradition in the South, may be realized in our northern gardens too.

Make your last Easter or Mother’s Day potted hydrangea gift the start of your next horticultural adventure.

By G Talmis