How to Grow Blue Hydrangea Flowers - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Blue hydrangea flowers is a plant that is native to Asia and North America. The plant has large, showy flowers that are blue in color. The plant is grown for its flowers, which are used in bouquets and arrangements. The plant is also used as a groundcover in landscaping.

How to Grow Blue Hydrangea Flowers - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • endless summer hydrangea
  • moptop hydrangea
  • snowball hydrangea
  • panicle hydrangea
  • oakleaf hydrangea

Things to Know

  • blue hydrangeas are native to Asia
  • they have been cultivated for centuries
  • the flowers are symbolically associated with gratitude
  • blue hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowers in the world
  • they are relatively easy to grow
  • the plants require little maintenance
  • blue hydrangeas typically bloom from late spring to early summer
  • the flowers can vary in shade, from pale blue to deep blue
  • blue hydrangeas make excellent cut flowers
  • the plants are also popular as landscaping shrubs

Related plant:
Buddleja Davidii Nanho Blue

Growing Steps

  1. For blue hydrangea flowers, first step is choose a location. It is important to pick a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
  2. The second step is to prepare the soil. Hydrangeas prefer well-draining, moist soil. If your soil is too sandy, add some organic matter to help it retain moisture.
  3. The third step is to plant your hydrangea. When planting, be sure to plant the roots in the ground at the correct depth. The top of the roots should be just below the soil surface.
  4. The fourth step is to water your plant. Hydrangeas need to be watered regularly, especially when they are first getting established.
  5. The fifth step is to fertilize your plant. Hydrangeas benefit from an annual application of fertilizer in the spring.
  6. The sixth step is to deadhead your plant. Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from the plant. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
  7. The seventh step is to prune your plant. Hydrangeas can be pruned in the late winter or early spring.
  8. The eighth step is to protect your plant from pests and diseases. Hydrangeas are susceptible to a number of different pests and diseases.
  9. The ninth step is to enjoy your plant. Hydrangeas are beautiful plants that will add interest to your garden.
  10. The tenth and final step is to propagate your plant. Hydrangeas can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings.

Related plant:
Blue Java Banana

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, blue hydrangea flowers like a well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. If the soil is too dry, the flowers will wilt. If the soil is too wet, the flowers will rot.

Light condition

So, like the other hydrangeas, blue hydrangeas need at least four hours of sun each day in order to thrive. They also need well-drained, moist soil that is rich in organic matter. If you live in an area with hot summers, it’s best to plant blue hydrangeas in a spot that gets some afternoon shade.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for blue hydrangea flowers is cool but not cold. They should be kept in a room that is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too cold, the flowers will not bloom. If the temperature is too hot, the flowers will wilt.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity gets too low, the flowers will start to wilt and the leaves will dry out. If the humidity is too high, the flowers will start to brown and fall off.

The Fertilizer

About fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need too much. In fact, too much fertilizer will cause the leaves to turn yellow. As for the roots, they need to be kept moist but not wet. These plants like to be in well-drained soil.

About light

Pruning blue hydrangea flowers is vital to keeping the plant healthy and blooming beautifully. To prune, start by cutting off any dead or diseased stems. Then, cut back any leggy or overgrown stems by a third. Finally, cut any remaining stems back by a couple of inches to encourage new growth.

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done via stem cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be about 4-6 inches long and taken from the tips of the stems. The bottom leaves should be removed and the cutting placed in moist potting mix. Rooting hormone can be used to encourage root growth. The cutting should be kept moist and in a warm location until new growth appears. Once new growth appears, the cutting can be transplanted to a new location.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is relatively fast, allowing the plant to flower profusely even in its first year. However, the rate at which blue hydrangeas grow can vary depending on the variety, as well as the growing conditions. Those grown in ideal conditions may bloom slightly faster than those that are not.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are: 1. They don't flower well in very hot weather. 2. The flowers can be damaged by strong winds. 3. They need a lot of water, and if they don't get enough, the flowers will start to droop. 4. They can be susceptible to fungal diseases, especially if the leaves stay wet for too long. 5. They can be attacked by pests, such as aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies.

List to Know

  • Do not forget to water the plant regularly. The plant needs a lot of water to grow properly.
  • Apply fertilizer to the plant regularly. This will help the plant to grow faster.
  • Place the plant in a sunny location. The plant needs a lot of sunlight to grow properly.
  • Do not prune the plant too much. The plant needs some leaves to grow properly.
  • Apply insecticide to the plant regularly. This will help to keep the pests away from the plant.
  • Apply herbicide to the plant regularly. This will help to keep the weeds away from the plant.
  • Mulch the plant regularly. This will help to keep the soil moist and will also help to keep the weeds away.
  • Do not over-water the plant. The plant needs only a small amount of water to grow properly.
  • Do not place the plant in a windy location. The plant needs

Similar Plants

  • Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
  • White hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
  • Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
  • Alumroot (Heuchera americana)
  • Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor)
  • Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
  • Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
  • Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
  • Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
  • Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Source:
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the …
HYDRANGEA - HYDRANGEA SPP. | The UFOR Nursery & Lab
Growing Tips: Hydrangeas, Color and Fertilizing

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