Firelight hydrangea is a beautiful plant that grows in dry, sunny areas. It has large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are usually red, orange, or yellow. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a great plant for your garden.
Related plant:
Firelight Tidbit Hydrangea
About soil condition, firelight hydrangea grows best in moist, well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including dry, sandy soil. It also does well in average to slightly acidic soil.
Similar to other hydrangeas, the firelight hydrangea thrives in sun to partial sun. It will produce the most flowers in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. This shrub is a great addition to any garden because it is low maintenance and is a beautiful sight when in full bloom.
The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of the firelight hydrangea is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers a shady location with moist soil. It is a good idea to provide some protection from the afternoon sun in hot summer areas.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 and 50%. If the humidity gets too low, the leaves will start to wilt and the flowers will droop. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn yellow and the flowers will fall off.
Discussing fertilizer, this family of plant is known to be heavy feeders. They will need to be fertilized regularly, especially when they are young. An organic fertilizer is best, and can be applied every few weeks during the growing season. Be sure to keep an eye on the hydrangeas, as too much fertilizer can burn the roots.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your firelight hydrangea healthy and vibrant. The best time to prune is in the early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune away any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Trimming back the spent flowers from the previous season will also help encourage new growth.
Propagation of the firelight hydrangea is best done through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and taken from new growth. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the stems, as these will be the most vigorous.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the type of plant you have. If you have a naturally slow-growing plant, you may not see much difference in growth rate with different types of fertilizer. However, if you have a fast-growing plant, you may want to use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen to encourage even faster growth. Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package to determine how much to use and how often to apply it.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. These can be controlled with fungicide sprays. Aphids and caterpillars may also attack the plant, but they can be controlled with insecticide sprays.
Source:
Take a Look at Hydrangeas - Penn State Extension
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the
Hydrangea Paniculata Limelight | NC State Extension