How to Grow Alice Hydrangea - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Alice hydrangea is a plant that is native to japan. it is a shrub that can grow to be about 3 feet tall. the leaves are green and the flowers are white.

How to Grow Alice Hydrangea - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

Seven-Bark
Panax Ginseng
Siberian Ginseng
Deer Antler
Black Cohosh

Common Knowledge

Alice Hydrangea is a hybrid between two species of hydrangea.
It was first bred in 1992 by Dr. Michael A. Dirr.
The plant is named after Dirr's daughter, Alice.
It is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
The plant has large, showy flowers that can be either pink or blue, depending on the soil pH.
Alice Hydrangea is very easy to grow and is very versatile in the landscape.
It is an excellent plant for mass plantings and hedges.
The plant is very drought tolerant once it is established.
Alice Hydrangea is deer resistant.
It is hardy in zones 5-

Related plant:
Hydrangea Quercifolia Alice

Growing Steps

For alice hydrangea, first step is to find a good location. The location should be in full sun or partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and moist.
Prepare the soil by tilling or digging it to a depth of about 12 inches. Add organic matter such as compost or manure to the soil to improve its fertility.
Sow the seeds in late winter or early spring. If you are starting with seedlings, plant them in early spring.
Water the seedlings regularly. Once they are established, water them weekly or as needed to keep the soil moist.
Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.
Prune the plants in late winter or early spring to shape them and encourage new growth.
Alice hydrangeas are generally disease and pest resistant. However, watch out for slugs and snails which may attack the young plants.
The plants will bloom in late spring or early summer.
Enjoy the beautiful flowers of your alice hydrangeas!

Related plant:
Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea

Soil Requirement

About soil condition,Alice hydrangea prefers well-drained soils with a high organic matter content. It will also tolerate heavier clay soils as long as they are not waterlogged. The ideal soil pH is slightly acid to neutral.

Light condition

So, like the other hydrangeas, Alice hydrangeas need at least four to six hours of sun each day in order to produce blooms. If your plant isn't getting enough sun, it may produce fewer blooms or none at all. Ideally, you should plant Alice hydrangeas in an area that gets full sun in the morning and afternoon, with some relief from the harsh afternoon sun.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most favorable for Alice hydrangea is a cool temperature. This plant does not like it when the temperature gets too hot. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves of Alice hydrangea will start to turn brown and the flowers will start to wilt.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or above. If the humidity level drops below 40%, the leaves will start to wilt and the flowers will droop. If the humidity level stays low for an extended period of time, the leaves will start to turn brown and fall off.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this family of plant requires moderate to high amounts of nutrients. Alice hydrangea does best with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, especially when actively growing. Be sure to apply fertilizer to the root zone and not on the leaves to prevent leaf burn.

About light

Pruning your Alice hydrangea is essential to keeping it looking its best.deadhead the flowers as they fade and prune off any dead or damaged branches in the spring. You can also give your plant a light trim after it blooms to encourage new growth.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is generally done by taking stem cuttings in late summer or early fall. The cuttings should be taken from new growth that is at least 6 inches long. Cuttings should be taken from the outermost stems of the plant. To take a cutting, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Cuttings can be rooted in moist sand, perlite, or vermiculite. Rooting hormone is not necessary but can help to promote root growth. Place the cuttings in the rooting medium and cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Cuttings should be kept out of direct sunlight and should be kept moist. Roots will form in 4-8 weeks. Once roots have formed, the cuttings can be transplanted into pots filled with a well-drained potting mix.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the surrounding environment. The amount of sunlight, water and nutrients in the soil all play a role in how quickly the plant grows. Generally, alice hydrangeas will grow fastest in areas with full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant (H. macrophylla) are powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rust. While these diseases are not usually fatal, they can cause the leaves to turn brown and drop off, and the flowers to fade. If you notice any of these problems, you should remove affected leaves and flowers, and treat the plant with a fungicide.

List to Know

Remember to water your alice hydrangea regularly, especially when the weather is hot and dry.
Feed your plant with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
Cut back the stems of your plant by about one-third in late summer or early fall to encourage new growth.
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your plant in late fall to help protect it from the cold winter weather.
You can divide and replant your alice hydrangea every few years to keep it healthy and vigorous.
Be sure to deadhead the spent flowers on your plant to encourage new blooms.
You may need to stake taller varieties of alice hydrangea to prevent them from flopping over.
Protect your plant from strong winds by planting it in a sheltered location.
Alice hydrangeas are generally tolerant of most