The UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea
The UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea
The UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea
Plan your garden with one of the UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea.
There is a reason the Hydrangea is one of the UKs favourite flowering plant.
With its large jaw-dropping flowers that last all Summer through, they are unmistakable in the English garden.
Time to start planning your Summer colour in the garden with our stunning Hydrangea range.
This is a relatively new introduction to the Hydrangea family whilst closely related to the more well-known Hydrangea Annabelle.
What makes this plant different is the sturdy upright stems that hold the huge flower heads in place.
As it matures the flower heads are upright and pronounced and rarely flop over even when the flowers reach full maturity and size which can be in excess of 30cm.
These plants are already established and will give a dazzling flower display this summer.
As well as the UK's favourite flowering plant the Stunning Hydrangea Incredible is our personal favourite.
Quick Facts
Good for late Summer colour
Long lasting flowers that can also be used for drying or flower arranging
Plant in Spring or Autumn in a well drained soil
Best in light shade, but will tolerate full sun if the soil is not too dry
Mulch in Spring to improve soil moisture retention
Water newly planted hydrangeas regularly during their fist growing season
Hydrangea Petiolaris, or as more commonly known as simply climbing Hydrangea Plants are deciduous self clinging climbing plants, so no need for a trellis!
They are a low maintenance Hydrangea that will put on a summer show of beautiful lacy white flowers.
Tends to do better in lightly shaded areas, but will tolerate full sun and full shade, they are suitable for most moist well drained soil types.
Pruning is not required unless you wish to contain it height and density. Very hardy and virtually maintenance free.
Quick Facts
Self clinging deciduous climber, with flowers in clusters
Ideal for City or Courtyard gardens
Low maintenance
Generally disease free
Care and maintenance
Hydrangea should ideally be planted in either Spring or Autumn when there is plenty of moisture in the soil.
Although happy in all soil types they are best suited to clay soil as this maintains moisture.
Too much water can caused root rot so make sure your soil is well draining.
Planting position is ideally light shade but can be planted in full sun as long as they are given plenty of water.
Adding mulch can help keep soil moist and cool. Organic mulch breaks down overtime, which adds nutrients.
When there's less daylight, hydrangeas can potentially turn green. This is especially common during the end of summer, when days become shorter.
Pruning - Macrophylla Hydrangea (lace cap and mopped varieties) should be pruned mid Spring. All other varieties early Spring.
Keeping the flowers on over winter time will help protect the plant from the frost.
When you do come to prune back, cut back to the second healthy bud.
Cut away any dead branches and branches that are trailing the floor.
The Blue Hydrangea
Blue Hydrangea - In order to keep the colour of the blue Hydrangea, your soil needs to be acidic.
You can achieve this by either adding ericaceous compost when planting or adding Sulphate of Iron to the soil to achieve the correct level (ph level 5.5 or lower).
Changing the colour of my Hydrangea - Having a ph level of 5.5 or lower will change the colour of your Hydrangea.
Use Sulphate of Iron or ericaceous compost to change your pink Hydrangea blue.
PH levels for each colour are as follows:
Blue = below 5.5
Purple = between 5.5 and 6.5
White = between 6 and 6.2
Pink = over 6.2
Feeding - When you first plant it is worth adding fish, blood and bone or Vitax Q4 (Vitax are an excellent producer of feeds etc.).
Common problems with the UKs favourite flowering plant
Hydrangea Scale is one of the problems Hydrangea encounter.
If your plant loses leaves and lacks vigour then it is certainly worth checking for scale. Look underneath the leaves.
The scale is a sap sucking insect that can also feed off other plants like Acer or Prunus. They are easy to spot as you will see white fibres encasing the eggs.
Encourage Ladybirds and birds into your garden as they will feed on the scale.
Fun facts about the UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea
The Hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan and date back millions of years. They arrived in Europe in 1736.
The name comes from Greece -
Hydor" means water and "angos" means jar or vessel, emphasising the need to water this particular flower often.
Each Colour has a different meaning,
maybe worth checking if you are purchasing as a gift:
Blue = apology, gratitude, understanding
Purple = pride, royalty, understanding
White = vanity, purity, grace
Pink = romance, true feelings, sincere emotions
Hydrangeas act as natural pH indicators
Their flowers turn blue when the soil is acidic, and pink when the soil is alkaline. Because of this, the Hydrangea is also known as the “Change Rose”.
Hydrangeas are great for people with allergies.
Since the flower produces allergy safe pollen, it remains a favourite plant among those with bad allergies.
Here is a link to the RHS top 10 UKs favourite flowering plant the stunning Hydrangea varieties.
Contact us
We hope you have enjoyed our post on the UKs favourite Flowering Plant the Stunning Hydrangea.
If there is a variety that is not included within our stunning Hydrangea range then please feel free to contact us and we will see what we can do.
'The Hydrangea'. Berthe Morisot 1894