| Hydrangeas
are woody, flowering shrubs. They range in height from two feet
to ten feet tall. Some hydrangeas are climbing plants, which
can reach nearly eighty feet high. Hydrangeas are sometimes
tender, but there exist hardy varieties that can survive in
zones as cold as zone two. Some hydrangeas will change the color
of their bloom, depending on the acidity level of the soil.
Much like a pH tester, they will bloom blue in acidic soil,
pink in alkaline soil. |
Hydrangeas
generally require a good deal of sunlight to grow. In the
warmer regions of the south, however, the shrubs should be
shaded from the hot afternoon sun, as this can damage the
plant. Hydrangeas should be cut back to the ground late autumn
in colder climates. This is because if the plant freezes back
to the ground, it may not bloom.
Most of
the hydrangeas will only flower on old wood, and should be
pruned down to half of the new growth in order to encourage
more flowers. The exception to this is the endless summer
hydrangea, which will bloom on both old wood and new growth.
The endless summer hydrangea is also the only hydrangea that
will have repeat blooms, giving a garden blooming color all
season long.
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