Hydrangea macrophylla
Posted by Alistair on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
http://www.aberdeengardening.co.uk/
Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly referred to as mophead have in recent times become seen as unfashionable. Now I ask you, how annoying is this nonsense, if you have a fondness for a plant,grow it.
This Hydrangea has large very showy blooms from mid Summer which last well in to the Autumn. The flower colour varies from pink if planted in an alkaline soil to lilac or blue the more acidic the soil is. If you are looking for the best blue Macrophylla, plant Renate Steiniger, remember even this one will be more lilac if planted in alkaline soil.
More questions seem to be asked regarding the pruning of mopheads than almost any other shrub except perhaps Wisteria which of course is a climber. Well anyway with your Hydrangea, first of all leave the flower heads on throughout the Winter and come mid March prune back to a couple of buds directly below the dead flower head. If in subsequent years your plant is becoming leggy then cut back about one third of the stems to ground level which will promote healthy new growth.
Generally here in Aberdeen this Hydrangea is fully hardy, however in our garden perhaps because we are in a bit of a frost pocket it really does struggle. However I have overcome this problem by planting in a container and overwintering in the unheated greenhouse. Results are amazing, producing the most beautiful plants smothered in blooms at least two weeks earlier than normally would be. With this method of growing you can safely remove the withered blooms just before placing in the greenhouse for the Winter. Of course come Spring your container plant can be placed in any position in the garden where you think it will look most effective.
Time for an update on the Box blight which resulted in serious damage in our back garden last year. All seemed to be going well in early/mid Summer this year. Fresh growth was encouraging even in the more serious affected areas. Very disappointed to report by mid August the Box blight had returned with a vengeance, resulting in even greater damage. I will persevere, however the temptation to replace with Yew is very great.
Position - Full sun/part shade
Height - 150cm
Hardiness - Generally hardy
Filed in Gardening News, Our Garden |