Make sure it has plenty of drainage holes, and use nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil. macrophylla ‘Mini Penny’)ĭepending on the cultivar, you still may need a sizable pot, but you can start by choosing a container a few inches wider and deeper than what the hydrangea came in. Dwarf varieties work best, of course, since they will stay smaller: But it can be done! If you lack space for a large, in-ground shrub or want to grace your patio with big blooms, know that hydrangeas will survive in containers. Hydrangeas are such large plants, it’s hard to imagine growing them in pots. Panicle hydrangeas even hold onto their dried blossoms throughout the winter for year-round interest in the cottage garden. Hydrangeas lend themselves well to cutting, too, adding dramatic elegance to fresh and dried bouquets alike and giving you another reason to potter in the garden. Taller varieties with white blooms provide a lovely backdrop for shorter, more brightly colored flowers. All types offer attractive foliage and abundant blossoms with a classic look that feels natural tucked in among other cottage plants. Plant multiple cultivars for a range of bloom times, sizes, and flower shapes. Abundant blossoms in the cottage gardenĪt home just about anywhere, hydrangeas seem like a perfect addition to a cottage garden. Here are some specific types of hydrangeas popular with both humans and pollinators: Smooth hydrangea is actually a host plant for the caterpillar of the hydrangea sphinx moth.Īvoid mophead varieties, which offer large and beautiful but infertile flowers that hide the smaller, fertile florets. quercifolia) hydrangeas, the latter two of which are native to the US. The best cultivars to attract pollinators tend to be lacecap ( H. Hydrangeas may not be the first plant to spring to mind when planning a pollinator garden, but some varieties have plenty to offer bees and butterflies. They can even be planted in a hedge to enclose a space and add privacy with elegance and beauty. Make a dramatic entrance with hydrangeas along the driveway or lining a path. Hydrangea plants also work well along freestanding walls or tucked into tall corners, such as next to a staircase, and they will spill through and over picket fences. White hydrangeas can really brighten up brick, stone, and dark siding. Mound them against the side of your house, planting a smaller variety under a window or a larger against a blank wall, or even a whole dramatic row down one side. Typically large, dense, flowering shrubs, hydrangeas are excellent tall border plants. Avoid planting hydrangeas where the ground often gets soggy after rain. If your soil tends more toward clay, mix in organic matter before planting hydrangeas, which don’t like wet feet. Loamy, well-draining soil is best for hydrangeas. Too much sun may result in a shorter bloom time, while excess shade can reduce flower size and foliage density. Although many types of hydrangeas can be grown in full sun, most will be happiest in part shade, ideally morning sun and afternoon shade. Hydrangeas are woodland plants, an important fact to keep in mind when considering the perfect location for your new shrub.
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