Hydrangea Bush
Plant a Hydrangea Bush and Experience a Color Explosion
The name 'hydrangea bush' used to describe one single type of plant, but through careful cultivation and cross-breeding there are many varieties that are popular in gardens.
The hydrangea family has been cultivated in Japan for many centuries, but the first time it is documented in writing was in the 18th century. At the same time, the plants were shipped over to Europe where they enjoyed instant fame and were target of even more experiments. The name hydrangea contains the word 'hydor' which is Greek for 'water'. Not surprisingly, hydrangea bush gardeners know that these flowers need an awful amount of water which was already discovered by English botanists at the time. From London, the flowers made their way to the European mainland over to France, Belgium and the Netherlands - finally, the new versions were taken all the way back to Japan where they are known as 'western hydrangea bush'.
Nowadays the plant is widespread and can grow perfectly in mild climate areas, especially where the winters are mild. However, they need a high humidity level and they are always happy about a little rain.
What makes hydrangea bushes so popular is their striking coloration, and the combination of soil will determine which color it will bloom in. Acidic grounds will turn the flowers purple while alkali soil is known to create a beautifully red color. Depending on the ph-value, the colors can go into both extremes from a stunning bright blue to a pale and soft pink. They are most popular in blue, but many struggle to achieve this perfect color that paints across the garden. Crucial is a soil that contains a lot of aluminum. This can be achieved by artificially adding some metal-ion to the natural soil. You can purchase special solutions which act like a colorant that is poured into the soil and turns the flower into a beautifully blue adventure.
However, it is important to understand the chemistry here- aluminum will not react without enough acid, so that your soil should contain a certain level of acidity. This can also be controlled artificially and you can inform yourself properly in a professional gardening store.
While some types of hydrangea bush are winter durable, most of them are unlikely to survive cold winters. A mild climate is definitely the most important care you can provide. The good news here: You can keep the plant indoors over winter.
Unlike most plants, the hydrangea bush should not be trimmed at all. New sprouts are actually attached to the old ones and become visible in late summer. Trimming old blossoms inevitably kills the new sprouts which are getting ready to bloom in the following spring. This is also the primary reason why the plant can hardly survive cold winters- the sprouts are already there before the winter commences, and if they freeze or die, there will be no new sprouts coming in the spring. Frost can mean two things: a sad spring without blossoms or death for the plant altogether.
The best place to plant is a semi-shady spot which should always be moist and damp. Depending on the type of soil you are working with, it might be beneficial to water with rainwater instead of tap water. This can influence the ph-value in a way that supports the coloration you are looking for. However, you must be well informed about the content of the rain in your area (i.e. pollution etc) and whether it is a good idea to use rainwater.
Other than that – sit back and enjoy the magical color explosion!