Hydrangea arborescens grandiflora is a medium to large shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall. The plant has big, beautiful flowers that can be white, pink, or blue. The flowers grow in clusters and bloom from early summer to fall. The leaves are dark green and the plant can tolerate partial shade.
Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge
Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora
About soil condition, Hydrangea arborescens grandiflora prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions with a pH of 5.5 to 7. They also like soils that are rich in organic matter and retain moisture well. If your soil is too alkaline, it can be amended with sulfur to lower the pH.
Just like other hydrangeas, the Hydrangea arborescens grandiflora requires a lot of sun. It prefers full sun, but it will also do well in partial sun. The more sun it gets, the more flowers it will produce. If it doesn't get enough sun, it will produce fewer flowers.
The temperature condition that is ideal for hydrangea arborescens grandiflora is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant thrives in moist soil with plenty of drainage and preferspartial sun to partial shade. Grandiflora loves humidity and can tolerate colder weather as long as the soil is not frozen.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will dry out and the plant will not bloom. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will not bloom.
Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant does best with plenty of organic matter worked into the soil before planting. A general-purpose fertilizer can be used once the plant is established, but be sure to follow the package directions carefully. An annual top-dressing of compost is also beneficial. When it comes to watering, hydrangeas need a lot of moisture, especially during the hot summer months. Be sure to give them a good soaking once or twice a week. Mulching around the plants will help to retain moisture in the soil.
Pruning your Hydrangea arborescens grandiflora is important to keeping the plant healthy and blooming abundantly. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back the stems by about one-third to encourage new growth and more flowers.
Propagation of the Hydrangea arborescens grandiflora is best done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in the spring or summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from the tips of the stems. Use a sharp knife or pruners to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Place the cuttings in a planting mix of equal parts peat moss and Perlite. Water the mix well and place it in a warm location out of direct sunlight. Keep the mix moist but not wet and in 4-6 weeks the cuttings should have rooted and be ready to plant in individual pots.
Usually, the plant growth rate during the vegetative period is fast, with plantings often reaching their full height within a season or two. However, Once they bloom, growth rates typically slow down considerably. With proper care, these plants can live for many years and continue to produce an abundance of beautiful flowers.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, root rot, and leaf spot. Powdery mildew is a white, powdery fungus that appears on the leaves and stems of the plant. Root rot is a black, slimy fungus that attacks the roots of the plant. Leaf spot is a brown or black fungus that appears on the leaves of the plant.
Source:
Species: Hydrangea arborescens - Cornell University
Growing Hydrangeas - Center for Agriculture, Food, and the
FS1152: Hydrangeas in the Garden (Rutgers NJAES)
