Description

• Few shrubs change appearance more dramatically between seasons than the hydrangea, an American favorite. In summer, hydrangeas are thick with layers of large, green leaves, and adorned with myriad bright blue, pink or lavender flower heads. In winter, only bare stalks remain. Some 23 varieties of hydrangea grow around the world, including some native to this country, yet the variety most popular in the United States--bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)--comes from Japan. All hydrangeas need water and dry out without adequate moisture.
  
  

Hydrangea Care

• If you plant your hydrangea in an appropriate location, your future care-taker duties reduce dramatically. Many consider hydrangeas sun-loving plants, but in fact these wild-wood shrubs prefer afternoon shade or all-day partial shade. Direct sun fades the bright flowers and scorches the stalks. If your hydrangeas live in direct sun, their water needs increase. Properly planted hydrangeas require bi-weekly watering when mature, while those in full sun may need a drink every day.
  
  

Drought

• Newly planted or transplanted hydrangeas can dry up and die in a week if deprived of water. Even mature plants react dramatically to a lack of water. Drought causes the flowers and leaves to wilt, while prolonged drought--especially combined with full sun--dries foliage and can stunt or even kill the plant. You can ensure that your plants do not dry out by planting them out of the afternoon sun and offering them water on a regular basis.
  
  

Winter Bouquet

• Many gardeners deadhead hydrangeas, snipping off flower heads as they fade to encourage new flower production. Hydrangeas require additional care toward summer's end. Since most of these shrubs flower on the prior season's wood, exaggerated deadheading can eliminate the next summer's flowers. The plants set buds in August; if you deadhead during that month, do not prune long stems. Some gardeners leave hydrangea flower heads on the bush as winter arrives. They dry out and form "winter bouquets," holding through much of the cold season.