I was a slacker last Fall and didn’t removed the old stems on the old-fashioned hydrangeas. All the plants I have came from one which was behind the garden shed when I purchased the house. These are the old-fashioned type (Hydrangea macrophylla) which blooms on two year old wood.
Therefore, each Fall I remove the old limbs which have bloomed to allow room for the current season’s growth which will bloom the following season.
The exceptions in my hydrangea collection would be the pinkish Blushing Bride near the front porch, which is a rebloomer in the Endless Summer strain, and the Increadiball (Hydrangea arborescens) which blooms on new wood and has large white flowers. It is of the species known as smooth leaved hydrangea.
I also have a Tardiva which is a paniculata species (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’) which is commonly called tree hydrangea or panicle hydrangea because of the large size of the plant and the shape of the flower. It blooms late in the season near Fall.
Today, I removed the many dead branches and the flowers from last season with help from Gus.
I will take cuttings to fill five or six pots which should be well rooted by the Fall.
The plants are now cleaner looking and will be loaded with blooms in a few weeks!
The hedge along the North side of the house is between the parking area and the chimney in part-shade. The red brick makes the perfect backdrop! Since we have acid soil here the flowers are blue. If the soil was alkaline they would pink. Neutral soil would produce a blend of pink and blue which looks purplish!
They are just beginning to turn blue and by July will be a deep blue.
And in the evening they seem to glow!
Now, if I could only encourage a climbing hydrangea to survive our hot summer!
atb
Arthur in the Garden! 
I love this flower. The French say they are just for funerals, etc. but I think they are a lovely addition to any garden.
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They are a staple here in the South! Every garden has on and the breeders have work hard creating new varieties!
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Gorgeous! I’m so jealous. Here, we have to plant them in the shade since the sun burns them. In the shade, they do quite well. Love the blue ones. Heck, love any color! 🙂
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The breeders have gone crazy will all the new varieties! I really need to buy the house next door !
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Your hydrangeas are beautiful and I love to look at them every time I read your blog. I have had my first successful hydrangea bloom. I have kept the plant in a pot and babied it, moving it in the sun in the winter and shade in the heat. It will be on a future post.
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Cngrats! They are a staple of the garden here in The South!
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They obviously love it there-they’re looking great! I used to dry the blossoms. They hold their color for quite a while.
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Hydrangeas are one of my favorite things about summer! Love your dog. My dog is from a shelter too. They make the best pets!
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Thanks!
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Your hydrangeas look just beautiful, my friend! Enjoy them!
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Thanks!
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Your hydrangeas look gorgeous! I planted a couple last year and this year, they are struggling…subscribing to your blog for gardening tips and tricks cos I NEED them! 🙂
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Thanks! Water is the key with hydrangeas. Keep them moist!
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Gorgeous! We planted some last fall so I can’t wait to see what blooms this summer!
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They are gorgeous! We finally planted some last fall so I can’t wait to see what blooms we get!
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Great! They are wonderful just don’t forget to water them when it’s hot and dry!
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You are so lucky. All the big leaf hydrangeas in this area were killed to the ground this winter so no blooms this year. I love the flowers as they go through their transition from white to blue, so beautiful.
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Aw, I love Gus!!! He’s welcome to help me in my garden 🙂 And your hydrangeas are beautiful…one of my favorite flowers!
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Thanks
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Thanks!
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