Hydrangeas!

I love Hydrangeas! They are very easily grown in the proper environment and when their gardener pays attention to their messages they will reward everyone with their incredible beauty for many years!

The colors are subtle, the blooms prolific and they can become parents to new babies if done properly with Mother Nature's full cooperation!

Now this is a happy Hydrangea! It's nestled beneath a Crepe Myrtle tree that allows early morning sunshine and all day protection from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun that will burn the tender leaves of the Hydrangea.

This is a back view of the same Hydrangea. Notice the blooms starting to pop out everywhere?

This is a view of the eastern side of the Hydrangea...it appears to be very content to soak up the early morning sunshine.

This is a view of the western side of the same Hydrangea...it's leaves remain in full shade during the hottest part of the day throughout the year, thanks to our Crepe Myrtle and our western tree rimmed shade garden.

These are 3 baby Hydrangea plants that I started two years ago...they appear to be happy...there was 1 bloom last year...so we'll watch and see what develops!

My secrets to a happy pink hydrangea?

1. Good soil that drains well.
2. Planted in a location with early morning sun and protection from the sun after 10 a.m.
3. I water mine daily...at the soil never on the leaves. Now if there is rain...ahhh you will have an exceptionallly happy Hydrangea.
4. When the leaves appear to wither up ... your Hydrangea is telling you that it's time to WATER and not to forget again! It will plump up again but please don't allow this to happen too often...it severely stresses your lovely plant.
5. You want babies? Okay, I done this more times that I care to remember...the wrong way...

The correct way to make Hydrangea cuttings!

Cut stems from underneath the plant...dip in rooting hormone...find the perfect location...or use a pot of good soil and stick them in. Now other than watering and protecting them from the harsh sun you can forget about them...you know a watched pot never boils...OK a watched Hydrangea is simply to shy to grow!

Now my common mistakes in making cuttings...I've cut the stems from the top and too late in the growing season. Next years flowers will come from the new growth this year! Key to success is not to over cut the stems...you'll have a pretty plant but NO FLOWERS the next year.

Hope this helps, we'll keep an eye on them...and see what happens.

Ooops...blue hydrangeas? I've never attempted to change the color but it is effectively done with a soil that is either naturally acidic or the gardener can amend the soil with additives from the garden store to achieve the acid level required for blue hydrangeas!

Also...hydrangea flowers can be dried and used in your home! There are various methods...my favorite is to allow air drying...but to be honest I just can't bear to cut flowers and bring them indoors...so mine stay on the stem!

Have fun!