How to Care for Hydrangeas

Hydrangea Cultivation

A staple in gardens across the world, hydrangeas are popular because they are easy to cultivate, tolerate almost any type of soil, and produce abundant blooms. However, there is a right and wrong way to grow them. Read on for the tips and tricks of cultivating a brilliant hydrangea shrub. But first…

A Brief History of Hydrangeas

Although prevalent worldwide, hydrangeas initially grew in Japan. Legend has it that an Emperor became the first person to cut its blooms and gift them to a woman he had angered – he loved her deeply but had callously neglected her in favor of his work. From that moment, the Japanese began associating hydrangea flowers with gratitude and apology, but as the centuries went on, the meaning morphed depending on the color. Pink hydrangeas conveyed romance and harmony. White, purity and grace. Purple, friendship and leadership. 

As world commerce increased during the renaissance, hydrangeas spread first to Eastern Europe – where it took on the Greek name combining water (hydros) with jar (angos) – and later Western Europe by way of the new world – where it had already been growing for centuries. 

In Europe, the flowers took on a completely different connotation. Because hydrangeas produce a lot of flowers but very few seeds, Europeans began associating the plants with arrogance or boastfulness. In fact, English men in the 1800s used to send hydrangeas to women who rejected them.

How to care for Hydrangeas

Ensuring your hydrangeas thrive and become the pride of your garden requires a combination of knowledge and attentive care. Hydrangeas are resilient and adaptable, but they flourish best when provided with the right conditions and care routines. From selecting the optimal location to adjusting soil conditions, there are several key practices to keep in mind.

The following tips will guide you through the essential steps to cultivate vibrant and healthy hydrangea shrubs that will enhance the beauty of your garden.

Where to plant hydrangeas

Hydrangeas thrive in locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid planting them in full sun or full shade. Too much sun can scorch the leaves, while too much shade can reduce blooming. Find a balance with morning sun and afternoon shade.

What soil to use when planting hydrangeas

While hydrangeas tolerate various soils, they prefer well-drained, moist, and slightly acidic soil. Adding compost can enhance soil quality and promote healthy growth. Make sure your soil PH levels are balanced. The color of bigleaf hydrangea flowers depends on soil pH. Test your soil and amend it to achieve the desired bloom color.

Add mulch: Mulch around the base of the plants help to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature, lack of mulch can stress your plants and affect blooming. Organic mulches like pine bark or straw work best.

Adjusting Bloom Color: You can change the color of bigleaf hydrangeas by altering the soil pH. For blue flowers, make the soil more acidic by adding sulfur or peat moss. For pink flowers, increase alkalinity with lime.

How to water hydrangeas

Hydrangeas need consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water them deeply once a week, more frequently during dry periods. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.

Avoid overwatering: Hydrangeas need consistent moisture. Over-watering can lead to root rot, while under-watering causes wilting. Ensure the soil is well-drained and water deeply.

Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring and again in summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to lush foliage but fewer blooms.

How to prune hydrangeas

Pruning depends on the type of hydrangea bush. For example, bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so prune them after flowering. Panicles and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be pruned in late winter or early spring.

Avoid over-pruning: Incorrect pruning can reduce blooming. Know your hydrangea type and prune accordingly. For instance, avoid cutting back bigleaf hydrangeas in spring as they bloom on old wood.

Common Mistakes When Planting Hydrangeas

Despite their hardiness, gardeners can make mistakes when caring for hydrangeas. Recognizing and avoiding these common errors will help ensure your hydrangeas remain healthy and vibrant.

• Overwatering: Over-watering can lead to root rot. Ensure the soil is well-drained after watering.

• Lack of mulch: Lack of mulch can stress your plants and affect blooming.

• Over-fertilizing: Too much fertilizer can result in lush foliage but fewer blooms.

• Over-pruning: Excessive trimming of hydrangea bushes can reduce blooming.

Conclusion

Hydrangeas have been beguiling gardeners for centuries with their stunning blooms and adaptability. With the right care and attention, these beautiful shrubs can thrive in your garden, providing a burst of color and elegance. At LANDED, we understand the joy that well-maintained gardens bring. Our team goes beyond just lawn care and maintenance by offering comprehensive landscaping and hardscaping services. Whether you need help with planting, pruning, or designing your garden, visit LANDED and let us assist you in creating a landscape that you will love for years to come.

When to Plant Annuals - A beginners guide to planting annuals in Virginia

How to Plant Annuals in Virginia

Looking to start a garden? Whether you want to plant annual or perennial plants, you need to know the answer to a few simple questions before you start your gardening journey, such as:

• What month is best to plant annuals?

• Are some more cold-tolerant than others?

• How do you keep your plants from freezing in the winter?

These are undoubtedly the most asked questions beginner’s often ask when starting a garden. Before you start searching for landscaping companies or professional gardeners online, consider reading this guide. We will walk you through the process of how and when to plant annuals in Virginia and answer basic questions such as, “when to plant tulip plants” or “when to plant peonies”.

Let’s get started!

What You Will Need

Before planting, you will need a few tools and items to help prepare you and your soil for planting, such as:

• Gardening gloves - These will protect your hands from prickly weeds, sticks, and other unpleasant things that may scratch your hands in the process

• A ball cap or sun hat - Starting a garden requires a lot of time outdoors, wearing a hat will help protect your skin from harmful sun exposure.

• A garden hose or sprinkler system - Wetting the ground ahead of time will help loosen the soil to make digging easier. Also, you will want to lightly water the plants after planting — which we will discuss later in this article.

• A garden hoe or garden shovel - This will help you dig through the soil more efficiently without having to use your hands

• Seeds or pre-grown plants - Be sure to have the seeds or pre-grown plants you want to plant in your garden before you begin planting. This will help make the transition process easier and less stressful for the plant.

• Compost - This helps to enhance the fertility of your plants, as well as provide drainage for the soil.

Tips for Planting Annuals

Before you begin, consider the care requirements for the plants you will be planting. Planting annuals in Virginia requires a careful approach to ensure they thrive throughout the growing season. Here are some key rules to follow:

Timing is Crucial

In Virginia, the best time to plant annuals is after the last frost date, typically around mid-April. Waiting until the soil warms up helps prevent frost damage and ensures better growth.

Choose the Right Soil

Annuals flourish in well-draining soil, rich in organic matter. Before planting, amend the soil with compost to enhance fertility and drainage.

Sunlight Requirements

Most annuals need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a location that provides adequate sunlight to support their growth.

Watering Schedule

Annuals require consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Water them deeply once a week, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Mulching

Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Feeding Schedule

Annuals benefit from regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time and follow up with liquid feed every 4-6 weeks.

Now you’re ready to start planting!

Starting a Garden With Annual Plants

As previously mentioned, annuals require careful considerations before being planted. Here are a few tips on how to plant common annuals, such as sunflowers and begonias

Sunflowers

Do:

• Plant in the Spring: Sunflowers flourish in warmer weather. Planting in spring (when temperatures are 60 degrees or above) will help the seeds germinate properly.

• Choose the Right Spot: Sunflowers love the sun. Pick a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Provide Support: Sunflowers will inevitably die off after the first frost. To get the most out of your sunflowers, try adding a new row of seeds every couple of weeks. This is known as Succession planting.

Don’t:

• Plant Too Deeply: Ensure the seeds are no more than 1 inch below the soil surface and 6 inches apart to encourage blooming.

• Overwater: When sunflowers are small, they are susceptible to root rot, be sure to water the area around the roots, about 3-4 inches from the plant. Once the plant is more established, water deeply and directly on the plant. Sunflowers are water guzzlers and require several gallons of water. However, avoid overwatering by watering mature plants infrequently, about once per week (frequency may vary depending on location and temperature)

Begonias

Do:

• Plant in the Spring: Begonias grow best when planted in May (or when temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees) 

• Choose the Right Spot: Begonias don’t like direct sunlight. Try to choose a shady spot on a patio or deck.

• Provide Support: Begonias grow best in a peat-free soil or compost mixture for proper drainage. Water regularly and feed every 1-2 weeks with a high quality fertilizer.

Don’t:

• Grow in winter outdoors: Begonias are sensitive to colder temperatures and will likely die with the first frost. If you would like to keep your begonias during winter, dig up the roots in early autumn and store them in a potted planter indoors or in a greenhouse.

Tips for Planting Perennials

Perennials are a fantastic investment for your garden, providing beauty year after year. Follow these guidelines to ensure they thrive in Virginia:

Optimal Planting Time

Fall is the best time to plant perennials in Virginia. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall provide ideal conditions for establishing roots before winter.

Soil Health

Like annuals, perennials prefer well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Ensure the planting site is prepared with compost and good drainage.

Sun and Shade Preferences

Choose perennials that match the sunlight conditions of your garden. Some perennials thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade.

Watering Needs

Newly planted perennials require consistent watering until they establish strong root systems. Once established, they typically need less frequent watering.

Mulching Benefits

Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, reduces weed growth, and protects the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.

Dividing and Pruning

Regularly divide and prune perennials to maintain their vigor and prevent overcrowding. This practice also encourages healthy growth and more abundant blooms.

Starting a Garden With Perennials Plants

Perennials plants have the ability to bloom year after year with proper planting. Here are a few tips for planting common perennials, such as peonies, tulips and hydrangeas.

Peonies

Do:

• Plant in the Fall: Peonies thrive when planted in the fall, typically from late September to early October.

• Choose the Right Spot: They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Provide Support: As they grow, peonies may need staking to support their large blooms.

Don’t:

• Plant Too Deeply: Ensure the eyes (buds) are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface to encourage blooming.

• Overwater: Peonies prefer moist soil but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Tulips

Do:

• Plant in the Fall: The ideal time for planting tulip bulbs in Virginia is from October to November.

• Choose a Sunny Location: Tulips need full sun to bloom well.

• Plant Deep Enough: Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep to protect them from frost and animals.

Don’t:

• Water Excessively: Tulips require well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot.

Neglect Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time to promote healthy growth.

Hydrangeas

Do:

• Plant in Early Spring or Fall: These seasons provide mild temperatures that help hydrangeas establish themselves.

• Select the Right Variety: Choose hydrangea varieties suited to Virginia's climate, such as 'Endless Summer' or 'Limelight'.

• Provide Ample Water: Hydrangeas need regular watering, especially during dry periods.

• Proving the proper care: Hydrangea care may vary depending on location and type. Be sure to choose the right variety for your location.

Don’t:

• Expose to Extreme Sun: Hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent wilting.

• Prune at the Wrong Time: Prune hydrangeas immediately after blooming to avoid stunting next year's flower buds.

Roses

Do:

• Plant in Early Spring: This allows roses to establish themselves before the heat of summer.

• Choose a Sunny Location: Roses need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Mulch Regularly: Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around roses.

Don’t:

• Water Overhead: Water at the base to prevent fungal diseases on leaves.

• Skip Pruning: Regular pruning promotes better airflow and healthier growth.

Conclusion

Navigating the complexities of planting annuals and perennials can be daunting, but with the right knowledge and timing, your garden can thrive beautifully. At LANDED, we’re here to answer any perennial or annual questions you may have. Whether it’s upgrading your garden, installing a gazebo, or hardscaping a brilliant backyard walkway, we’re here to transform your outdoor space into an outdoor oasis.