HYDRANGEA
“W
hy doesn’t my hydrangea bloom?”
“Why did my blue hydrangea flowers turn pink?”
These questions are common Hydrangea problems. Hydrangeas may fail to thrive or bloom for the following reasons:
too much or too little sun
incorrect pH
excessive fertilization
improper pruning
improper moisture
improper soil
lack of winter protection on certain varieties
Sunlight vs. shade
It is a common misconception that hydrangeas will thrive in full
s
hade with no direct sun. Although they can be successfully
grown in full shade, they will not bloom well. Depending on the
hydrangea species, some require full sun with adequate soil
moisture, while others will benefit if given shade in the
afternoon when the sun is the strongest.
pH
While most hydrangeas grow better in soil that is lower in pH
(acidic), they will tolerate higher pH soils (alkaline) quite well.
The most common reason for reducing a hydrangea’s soil pH
level is if blue rather than pink flowers are desired. Hy
drangea
flowers will be pink in alkaline soil and blue in acidic soil. Pink
hydrangea flowers can be changed to blue by acidifying soil and
maintaining the pH in the 5.0 to 5.5 range. Adjusting a soil’s pH
will need to be done annually in order to achieve and maintain
proper results. The results from a soil pH test kit will determine
existing pH levels and the need to add lime or sulfur in order to
adjust the soil accordingly. Tap water may alter test results;
therefore, it is important to use deionized water with a soil
testing kit. Sulfur should be added in order to lower a soil’s pH.
Lime should be added in order to raise a soil’s pH. Elemental
sulfur, also called flowers of sulfur, or iron sulfate are better
alternatives to using aluminum sulfate because aluminum can
reach toxic levels in the soil. While aluminum is a key element to
lower a soil’s acidity and change the color of hydrangea flowers,
it can also become toxic at high levels.
Adjusting your soil’s pH to change bloom color is only
applicable for colored hydrangeas. White hydrangeas will never
turn pink or blue; therefore, it is usually not necessary to add
supplemental sulfur to soil where white hydrangeas grow, unless
unusually high alkalinity causes growing problems. Soils in the
Chicago area are normally very high in pH, so adding lime,
which raises a soil’s alkalinity, is rarely needed.
Fertilization
Fertilizing hydrangeas is generally not recommended unless a
nutrient deficiency is observed. Too much nitrogen can produce
excessive green growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
Hydrangeas fall into one of two pruning categories. The pruning
c
ategory is determined by whether or not the hydrangea blooms
on old wood or new wood. Old wood is growth produced in a
previous growing season. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood
should only be pruned immediately after they bloom and
pruning should be kept to a minimum. If this type of hydrangea
is pruned in the fall or winter, it will not bloom in the spring or
summer, and will flower in the following growing season. New
wood is growth produced in the current growing season.
Hydrangeas that belong in this category can be left unpruned
and only blackened winter-injured tips removed in the spring.
Certain hydrangea species can be pruned almost to the ground in
late winter/early spring and will produce flowers on new
branches that grow in the spring. Dead or diseased branches can
be pruned out at any time of the year.
Moisture
Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained soil that is consistently moist
b
ut not soggy. It is not unusual to see some hydrangea varieties
droop and wilt in the hottest months of the summer. A two- to
three-inch layer of mulch will help to conserve moisture.
Soil
Hydrangeas are best planted in soil that has been amended with
a
dequate amounts of organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold,
or well-composted manure.