Blue Hydrangea - Ask Extension
My wife would like to grow blue hydrangeas. What type should I buy for this area? Also, how much sunlight do they need? That will govern where I pl...
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Blue Hydrangea #458138
Asked May 30, 2018, 2:36 PM EDT
My wife would like to grow blue hydrangeas. What type should I buy for this area? Also, how much sunlight do they need? That will govern where I plant them. Thank you.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea is the plant, and we would recommend the named variety "Endless Summer".
While there are others, including "Nikko Blue" that are lovely, most older varieties only bloom on wood made the previous growing season, and if we have a harsh winter, or a late spring frost, the buds are winterkilled and it won't bloom that year.
"Endless Summer" is a relatively new variety that has been bred to bloom on both new and old wood so you should get flowers regardless of weather.
This page from Missouri Botanical Garden has the information on their cultural needs: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b383
Interestingly, Hydrangea is one of the only plants that soil chemistry (pH) affects flower color, so you can adjust the flowers to be more blue by making the soil more acidic. It's not usually needed though as our soils tend in that direction.
cm
While there are others, including "Nikko Blue" that are lovely, most older varieties only bloom on wood made the previous growing season, and if we have a harsh winter, or a late spring frost, the buds are winterkilled and it won't bloom that year.
"Endless Summer" is a relatively new variety that has been bred to bloom on both new and old wood so you should get flowers regardless of weather.
This page from Missouri Botanical Garden has the information on their cultural needs: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b383
Interestingly, Hydrangea is one of the only plants that soil chemistry (pH) affects flower color, so you can adjust the flowers to be more blue by making the soil more acidic. It's not usually needed though as our soils tend in that direction.
cm
