Hydrangea How-To: Part 2

Similar in form to the lacecap macrophyllas are the Hydrangea serrata. They are smaller in stature and a bit hardier overall. Cultivars to consider are: 'Beni-gaku', with rosy pink flowers. The flowers age to deep pink-red. Not attempts will work to change it to blue, so sit back and enjoy the pink show!

'Izo No Han' is a newer serrata with colors that do show some variation based on soil pH. The inner flowers range from pink to blue, surrounded by bright pink larger flowers.

'Blue Billow' is an H. serrata whose flowers are a more deep blue. It is also noted for its good cold hardiness.

'Grayswood' sports white flowers enclosing a blue-pink interior. The outer flowers are sometimes touched with pink, and the flowers age to deep wine or burgundy as the season progresses.

An intriguing hydrangea is a hybrid of serrata and macrophylla, officially named Hydrangea x serrata 'Preziosa'. This hydrangea is fairly large, forming a 5 foot mounding plant. The flowers change from white to warm pink, and then gradually take on a deep burgundy to mahogany red tone in Fall. It is excellent for taking cuttings of its mophead blooms in its various stages of color development for drying and display.

The serratas and 'Preziosa' are not often found locally. There are many fine mail order sources for these plants. The culture is the same as for the macrophyllas, and they also bloom on old wood. Be aware that many of them do not respond to trying to change their base colors. Because most of the serratas and 'Preziosa' are hardier, they do provide more consistent and reliable blooms than the macrophyllas. However, still give them the same pruning and siting, protected with afternoon shade.

The oakleaf hydrangeas, H. quercifolia, are wonderful plants that offer multiple visual interest. As the name implies, their leaf form is similar in shape to that of the red oak. They have cone-shaped flowers and oakleaf-shaped foliage. Most display good fall foliage color. The bark offers visual interest in the winter, peeling and orange-brown in color. Most grow quite large and offer excellent screening possibilities. They are hardy into zone 5.

'Snowflake' is an oakleaf hydrangea with large cones of white flowers. This plant can reach up to eight feet tall and wide.

'Snowqueen' has huge white panicles held upright on the bush. It can also reach up to eight feet tall, with a similar expanse.

Although most of the H. quercifolias form massive plants, impractical for using close to the foundation, there are two smaller cultivars that do well in a mixed border or close in to the foundation:

'Pee Wee' is a scaled down version of the larger H. quercifolia. It is smaller in proportion, leaves, flowers, and overall size. It forms a 3 by 3 foot plant, and is a good choice for smaller yards.

'Sike's Dwarf' is even smaller than 'Pee Wee', reaching about 2 to 2-1/2 feet tall and wide.

Hydrangea quercifolia bloom on old wood, so you need to prune them by mid-July, if at all. They appreciate dappled shade and soil that is not allowed to dry out. They will not respond to attempts to induce different shades of pink or blue. They are so lovely in their own right that even if we could, it would not improve on their beauty!

The following hydrangeas all bloom on new wood, which means that they are a shoe-in for blooming regardless of how rough or prolonged our winter might be. They will do well anywhere in our region. They can tolerate more sun, and many make great specimen plants. These hydrangeas will not respond to attempts to alter their natural colors. Most of these are able to be purchased at local nurseries and plant retailers:

Hydrangea arborescens, 'Annabelle', is a medium sized shrub, about 4 to 5 feet tall, that has some of the largest flower heads of any hydrangea. It tolerates more sun, but will also do well with light shade. The globe-shaped flower heads are white and can reach over 12 inches across. Some support is needed to keep it from flopping over and this should be added before new growth starts. Remove the old dead growth from late fall to early spring, although pruning can be tackled any time of the year. Provided it with good soil, rich in organic matter, and as with all hydrangeas, don't let it get too dry.

Another H. arborescens variety is 'Radiata'. It has flattened, white flower heads, and is a good substitute for the lacecaps.

Most of us are probably familiar with the Hydrangea paniculatas. These also bloom consistently, year in and year out. There are large and small versions of the 'Pee Gee' hydrangea, as most of us call them.

A smaller paniculata is 'Pee Wee', not to be confused with the oakleaf 'Pee Wee'. It is only about 3 to 4 feet tall, and is in the form of the classic 'Pee Gee' style, but scaled down.

'White Moth' is a paniculata that forms more open and airy flower heads. It is extremely hardy and carefree.

'Tardiva' is a large plant with huge cone-shaped flowers. The flowers open later in the season than most, and they can be lightly fragrant. This hydrangea forms a nice specimen plant, about 6 feet tall and wide.

Bored with white, but want a hardy, consistent variety in another color? Try 'Pink Diamond'. This is a fully hardy paniculata, into zone 4, in fact. It sports pink buds that turn into white flowers, then age to a bright pink. It grows about 6 feet tall, and is also a good one for drying in its different color phases.

That just about wraps it up regarding hydrangeas for those of us who live in the Southern Great Lakes Region. I know it is a lengthy article, but I hope it has opened many ideas of what can be successfully grown in our area. Some of them are easier to grow than others, but if you understand how they bloom and what pleases them, you can be richly rewarded!