Hydrangea

Had to look on google how to spell this!!! I wouldve put hide ranger :D . Anyhooo I've got one in my garden, impressed I know the name of a flower (my old grandad used to love them thats how I know and hence want to keep it). The leaves have gone black so I presume it is doing its autumnal thing, when it becomes just a clump of dried sticks do you have to cut it back or do anything special to make sure it comes back blooming next year?? Thanks in advance.

 

I've always been told it's best to leave the dead bits on until the frost is over in late spring, Kasabian. It protects the first buds that will grow next year. What colour is your hydrangea? And is it a shrub one, or one that climbs?

Once the danger of frost is over, cut away the dead bits, and prune back to an outward facing bud on each stem, to make a shape that you like. I prefer my shrubs to look "natural" but many like symmetry - up to you. The plant will flower whatever shape you make it!

 

its a shrub and its a lilacy/blue colour, dont think I will be making any pretty shapes, but if I could make it into the shape of a pint of beer, that would look quite spectacular using the flowers as a kind of head on top of the pint, cheers!

 

They like an acidic soil - especially if you want to keep the blue blooms. To supplement fertilizer and add acid, you can use any of the following: aluminum sulfate, egg shells, coffee grounds, or ground up orange or grapefruit peels.

I think your 'topiary' idea might be a bit more difficult ... :D M-L

 

Love it, K! :D

M-L - we have acid soil, put in a vivid blue hydrangea, and it went pink - because we'd been putting down masses of mushroom compost! Made quite a difference.

 

Can they change colour? Like changing lager to guinness?

 

Not all of them - have a look at this, from the BBC gardening site

Soils for colour: The soil type determines the flower colour (acid produces blue). To create blue on a limey soil, you can use a special blueing compound composed of aluminium sulphate, although the results won't compare with plants growing in acid soil. Alternatively, grow a compact variety, such as 'Blue Bird', in a large container filled with lime-free compost and supplement its liquid feed with a blueing compound.

Didn't think you could change lager to guiness - or would ever want to...... :D