Caring for hydrangeas in East Texas typically involves providing them with plenty of moisture, partial shade, and protection from extreme heat.
Watering: Hydrangeas require consistent moisture, so make sure to water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. It is best to water them in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to prevent evaporation.
Soil: Hydrangeas prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. This can be a problem if your soil is like mine and it consists mostly of clay. Be sure when planting, to dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the soil in the container of your new hydrangea. Once that is complete, add to the hole a mixture of amended soil and native soil (about a 50/50 mix) so that when you place the hydrangea inside, the top of the soil in the hydrangea's container sits flush with the ground and fits snug on all sides. This will ensure that your new plant will establish itself well into the landscape and continue to produce new growth and full blooms. If your soil is alkaline, you can add sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower the pH.
Sunlight: Hydrangeas prefer partial shade, so a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
Fertilizer: Fertilize hydrangeas once a month during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Organic, slow-release fertilizers for roses (such as a 15-10-10, or 10-5-5 formula) work well on hydrangeas, giving the plants the nutrients they need to increase the size and quantity of their blooms.
Pruning: Prune hydrangeas in late winter or early spring, before new growth appears. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood and shape the bush as desired. Keep in mind that some hydrangea species bloom on last-year's growth, which is often called “old wood.” This old wood contains the flower buds that will open with the coming summer. Pruning in winter or spring would remove the flower buds, leaving you with a bloomless plant this year. For this reason it is important that you do your research and find out if the hydrangea you want or have blooms on old wood.
Protect from extreme heat: In East Texas, hydrangeas may need protection from the intense summer heat. If you have a hydrangea that is struggling despite your best efforts, consider providing it with some shade or moving it to a cooler location.
Keep in mind that some types of hydrangeas may not be well-suited to East Texas' climate, so it's important to research the specific variety you have and make sure it is appropriate for your area.
The color of a hydrangea's bloom can be changed by adjusting the pH level of the soil. The color of hydrangea flowers can range from pink to blue, and the color is determined by the amount of aluminum available in the soil.
Blue flowers: To achieve blue flowers, the soil should be more acidic, with a pH of around 5.2 to 5.5. To lower the pH, you can add sulfur or aluminum sulfate to the soil.
Pink flowers: To achieve pink flowers, the soil should be more alkaline, with a pH of around 6.0 to 6.5. To raise the pH, you can add lime to the soil.
It's important to note that not all hydrangea varieties can change color based on soil pH, and some varieties have fixed color. Also, it can take several weeks to several months for the color change to be visible after changing the pH. Additionally, to maintain the desired color, regular monitoring of the soil pH is needed and adding sulfur or lime as needed.
Check out our recommended products for hydrangeas below!
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