French Hydrangea

Hydrangea (hy-DRAN-jee-ah)

Family: Hydrangeaceae Non-native Shrub

Hydrangeas are perennial shrubs or climbers in the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) native to North America, South America, Asia and Malesia. The genus name comes from the Greek word hydor , meaning water, and aggeion , meaning vessel, which refers to the shape of the fruit capsule. Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs or climbers with flowers in terminal, round or umbrella-shaped clusters in colors of white, pink, or blue, or even purple depending on the acidity of the soil. If they flower blue, your soil is acidic (having less than 5.5 pH) and if they bloom pink, your soil is alkaline (higher than 6.5 pH). If your soil is between acidic and alkaline, then you will probably have purple flowers. Of the common names, the French hydrangeas are the ones mostly forced for holiday use by florists. They are not normally added to the landscape after flowering. The Peegee hydrangeas are the most common ones used in the landscape. They come in various shapes and sizes with various size flowers. The Oakleaf hydrangea grows up to 5 feet high with white flowers and large leaves shaped like oak leaves that turn a beautiful wine red in the fall. The climbing hydrangeas can grow up to 15 feet or more on any structure clinging by ariel rootlets. They grow in sun to partial shade and often require additional watering if grown in direct sun all day. Depending on the variety, they need to be pruned directly after flowering (macrophylla) or can be pruned in late winter. Macrophylla hydrangeas bloom on "old growth" and by pruning them after flowering, it will give them time to set buds for next season's growth. Adding organic materials to the soil can change the acidity of the soil. For example, adding coffee grounds or citrus peel can change the normal acidity of the soil and will allow the hydrangea to flower to bright blue even if you have low acidity to begin with. Grow hydrangeas in any part of the landscape. They make a remarkable statement in the garden. Alternatively, grow them in pots which will allow control of the pH of the soil and change the normal color of the flowers that would naturally grow in the landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can suffer leaf spot, bacterial wilt, and powdery mildew under some conditions. It is susceptible to damage by deer.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 67 attributes.