Hydrangea question

[Anonymous]

I had a row of hydrangeas in my backyard that had big beautiful blue and pinkish blooms for years. Two years ago, landscapers cut them back to the ground - why? I don’t know. I was very upset. Two of the 4 have sort of grown back - one had 1 bloom last year. I’m hoping for more this year. The other two are still just a few leaves up about 6” from the ground. Since it’s been two years, I’m thinking it’s time to replace them. Do you have a recommendation of which type of hydrangea to get? This is in MoCo and the area gets pretty direct sun for 3/4 of the day. The leaves are serrated on the edge. Thanks for your advice. Also, is there anything I can do to encourage flowers to bloom again on the remaining ones or is it a lost cause?

[Anonymous]

Go to American Plant. They will help you with new ones and fertilizer for the one not growing.

[Anonymous]

They can only be cut at certain times and it sounds like they cut WAY too much. Only time will tell if they can make it back.

[Anonymous]

Aldi usually gets some and they might have them already. Mine were $5 each.

[Anonymous]

some don't need to be cut at all so start with new and ask for guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aldi usually gets some and they might have them already. Mine were $5 each.

Separate question - are the hydrangea plants in the store different than bushes in nurseries? Will they grow large too? The hydrangea bushes at American Plant are $50-85.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aldi usually gets some and they might have them already. Mine were $5 each.

Separate question - are the hydrangea plants in the store different than bushes in nurseries? Will they grow large too? The hydrangea bushes at American Plant are $50-85.

There are many different hydrangea varieties and it’s safe to assume the grocery store kind are bred to be attractive in a grocery store pot, while a nursery is going to have a variety of choices. But if you buy one from Aldi you should certainly plant it and not treat it like a houseplant - it will grow outdoors! It is possible the ones at Aldi are dwarf varieties. Hydrangeas come in all sizes - I have one variety that is about three feet tall and I never do more than trim off the old flower heads. It blooms in spring. I have another variety that blooms in the late fall and I whack it back almost to the ground each spring and it shoots up to 8 feet tall, blooming on new growth.

[Anonymous]

There are hydrangeas that bloom on old growth and those that bloom on new growth. Maybe you have the old growth ones and they shouldn't have been cut back. But they should grow back this year, they tend to be pretty hardy.

The super cold weather 2 winters ago did impact some blue hydrangeas last summer, but shouldn't this summer.

If you want new ones think about the size and color you want. There are white ones and blue ones, and compact ones and huge ones. We have Annabelles, Limelights, Endless Summer, Oak Leaf and Pink Elf (actually pink, not PH related), as well as some old Nikko Blues. They are all quite different.

[Anonymous]

Are there any that are deer resistant? Deer chomp in mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aldi usually gets some and they might have them already. Mine were $5 each.

Separate question - are the hydrangea plants in the store different than bushes in nurseries? Will they grow large too? The hydrangea bushes at American Plant are $50-85.

Yes - the ones they sell this time of year indoors in a decorative pot are florist hydrangeas. You can't plant them. You want a shrub. Probably a panicle hydrangea for a lot of sun and DMV weather. The range you cite is about right. For great hydrangea info, check out @hamiltonhousedesigns on Instagram. She is a hydrangea queen.

[Anonymous]

I'd look at White Flower Farm & read the descriptions. Endless Summer is a classic. Blushing Bride is a pretty variant of Endless Summer if you want white blooms. Limelight if you want the paniculata kind.

https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/index.php?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=hydrangeas

[Anonymous]

Is it too late to plant hydrangea shrubs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it too late to plant hydrangea shrubs?

Not at all.

[Anonymous]

If you wanted to plant a new hydrangea in a different location, the native hydrangea arborescens aka smooth hydrangea is a nice choice (white flowers, adapted to local soil and climate). But I think the sun would be too much for it where you already have your hydrangeas.

[Anonymous]

I have Blue Niko but they don't seem to like the hot full sun. I moved them to a part shade area of my yard (but right on the borderline of part shade and full sun). So, in case this is helpful, I would say NOT Blue Niko for your yard in MoCo.