Hydrangea info from Sandy Stackhouse
-Hydrangeas are relatively new to the US
-Most bloom on old wood, a few bloom on new
-Blooms are set 9-10 months before they flower, so any deadheading needs to be done just after flowering
-They like morning sun and after noon shade
-¹Annabelle¹ a large white bloom gets tall, doubles or triples every year, blooms on new wood and needs about 4 hrs. of sun
-In March, they should be covered after it warms up and the cold starts in
again to avoid damage -
Sandy suggests Reemay) a cloth used over newly sown lawns
Brick It - to propagate: pull a bottom branch down, nick at a bud, use
rooting hormone, hold into soil with a brick.
In 6 wks, it¹ll root. cut off and plant a new hydrangea.
Can also be divided usually after it blooms. Annabelle do in very early spring or early Fall
-the color of the bloom not only depends upon the variety of plant but also
upon the pH of the soil .
Our soil is usually alkaline, producing a pink bloom in some varieties, so to
change to blue add sulfur to lower the pH making it more acidic.
-White blooms remain white, they do not change color
-to dry: cut when still green, at least the white ones
-Sandy made great stationary by dropping the blossoms on the copier and copying them!
-Fertilize in the spring not the Fall
-Rick has an ³Endless Summer² a unique hybrid, we¹ll all be over with our bricks!
Notes by Danna Walter