Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle” is a shrub with white sterile blooms that appear every year. The blooms can be up to 10 inches in diameter. This year’s blooms are spectacular. The plants shown in the photograph are grown by Jackie Shepherd and were in partial shade when they were planted several years ago. Recently a tree had to be removed so that they get full southern sun until 3 p.m. and they are now thriving.
All hydrangeas need moist soil. If the soil gets too dry the leaves and blooms will wilt. If they haven’t been dry too long, they will respond quickly when watered.
Hydrangea aborescens are deciduous, as are all hydrangeas. “Annabelle” blooms on new growth, however, and unlike most other hydrangeas, can be pruned in the fall, winter or early spring. In fact, they need some pruning to shorten their stems so they will be sturdy enough to hold the large blooms. To increase the size of the blooms, the number of stems can be reduced. The planting information that accompanied an “Annabelle” that we bought recently said that it should be planted in shade. Gardening books indicate that a location that receives morning sun is acceptable.
Oakleaf Hydrangea, H. quercifolia, is another variety that has white blooms at first. These gradually turn light pink and eventually turn dark tan as the summer progresses. This plant is noted for its huge, oak-shaped leaves and overall size—sometimes reaching over six feet high. Any pruning that is needed should be completed by the end of July. After that the buds for the following spring begin to form.
The popular French Hydrangea, H. macrophylia, has hundreds of selections. Typically, it will have blue or pink blooms, but some white varieties exist. This plant blooms on old growth, so it should not be pruned after the end of July.
H. Paniculatas “Peegee” hydrangeas are very forgiving. They can be pruned in the fall or in early spring. If the plant is being shaped into a tree form, special care should be taken to avoid cutting the trunk or important branches. Here you will want to follow good pruning methods and take care of branches that are crossing or that seem to be in the wrong place.
Many local gardeners have told me that they take cuttings from hydrangea and root them for new plants. Apparently they are very successful with this process. The method is to take a three-to-five inch tip cutting. Remove the bottom leaves of the stem. Wet the stem and dip it in rooting powder such as Root-tone and stick the stem into potting soil. Place the pot in a protected, shady location and keep the soil moist. The plant should root in about a month.
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Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle” is a shrub with white sterile blooms that appear every year. The blooms can be up to 10 inches in diameter. This year’s blooms are spectacular. The plants shown in the photograph are grown by Jackie Shepherd and were in partial shade when they were planted several years ago. Recently a tree had to be removed so that they get full southern sun until 3 p.m. and they are now thriving.
All hydrangeas need moist soil. If the soil gets too dry the leaves and blooms will wilt. If they haven’t been dry too long, they will respond quickly when watered.
Hydrangea aborescens are deciduous, as are all hydrangeas. “Annabelle” blooms on new growth, however, and unlike most other hydrangeas, can be pruned in the fall, winter or early spring. In fact, they need some pruning to shorten their stems so they will be sturdy enough to hold the large blooms. To increase the size of the blooms, the number of stems can be reduced. The planting information that accompanied an “Annabelle” that we bought recently said that it should be planted in shade. Gardening books indicate that a location that receives morning sun is acceptable.
Oakleaf Hydrangea, H. quercifolia, is another variety that has white blooms at first. These gradually turn light pink and eventually turn dark tan as the summer progresses. This plant is noted for its huge, oak-shaped leaves and overall size—sometimes reaching over six feet high. Any pruning that is needed should be completed by the end of July. After that the buds for the following spring begin to form.
The popular French Hydrangea, H. macrophylia, has hundreds of selections. Typically, it will have blue or pink blooms, but some white varieties exist. This plant blooms on old growth, so it should not be pruned after the end of July.
H. Paniculatas “Peegee” hydrangeas are very forgiving. They can be pruned in the fall or in early spring. If the plant is being shaped into a tree form, special care should be taken to avoid cutting the trunk or important branches. Here you will want to follow good pruning methods and take care of branches that are crossing or that seem to be in the wrong place.
Many local gardeners have told me that they take cuttings from hydrangea and root them for new plants. Apparently they are very successful with this process. The method is to take a three-to-five inch tip cutting. Remove the bottom leaves of the stem. Wet the stem and dip it in rooting powder such as Root-tone and stick the stem into potting soil. Place the pot in a protected, shady location and keep the soil moist. The plant should root in about a month.
