Everything you need to know at a glance

Plant profile:

• Botanical name: Hydrangea
• Order: Dogwood-like (Cornales)
• Genus: hydrangeas
• Family: Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea family)
• Habit: Woody subshrub.
• Height: up to two meters. Climbing hydrangeas can even climb up to 15 meters in height with the help of a climbing aid
• Main flowering time: June to September
• Leaf: simple, ovate serrated, opposite
• Flowers: inflorescence in the form of a flat or spherical umbel (umbrella panicle)
• Flower shape: Small flowers form multi-flowered stands
• Flower color: blue, red, pink, purple, white
• Fruits: capsule fruits. In the garden forms, fertile fruits are usually not to be expected

Special features:

Withering Hydrangeas show an impressive play of colors: the flower balls change color from their actual tint to matt green or rust red, which gives the plant an extremely attractive, morbid charm.

Origin:

The flowering small shrubs originally come from Japan, where they have been cultivated in gardens for many centuries. The wild forms can be found in sparse forests and even settle at altitudes of up to 3,400 meters.

Location and maintenance:

In terms of location, the Hydrangea is a specialist. They prefer a partially shaded or shady place that should be protected from the wind. Oak-leaved hydrangea and Panicle hydrangea are exceptions, because these varieties also feel good in the sun.

floor

Hydrangeas love nutritious, deep, humus-rich and loose soil. In contrast to what is often read, they do not necessarily have to be in an acidic substrate. The range in which the pH value should move depends on the color of the flowers.

If you have a preference for blue flowers, you can promote the desired color by adding three grams of alum per liter to the irrigation water.

Watering and fertilizing:

Translated, the name Hydrangea means "water slurper". It describes the enormous thirst that the hydrangea has. For this reason, it is important that the substrate retains moisture well.

Pour preferably with soft, lime-free water from the Rain barrel. Even if the soil should always be kept moist, do not overdo it, because waterlogging quickly leads to root rot.

Hydrangeas are among the heavy eaters. You should therefore provide the plant with organic fertilizer or a special fertilizer every two to three weeks until midsummer Hydrangea fertilizer.