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Hydrangeas for the uninformed would-be enthusiast

Last post 30-03-2009 10:16 PM by Phot's-Moll. 3 replies.

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  • 30/03/2009 05:32 PM
    • Pete T
    • Cheshire
    • 30 Mar 2009
    • 1
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    Good afternoon all, This is my first post and I hope my pleas for advice isn't too naive! I would very much appreciate some advice on hydrangeas that may be suitable for a (small) 'spare' border that I have. I'm trying to develop a blue and white theme in this part of the garden and so I'm hoping to grow a (deep)blue hydrangea (or two) next to a (very) white hydrangea. The bed receives sun in the morning but in the afternoon perhaps only half the bed receives sunlight. The soil PH varies between 5 and 6 so I appreciate that I may have to increase acidity on a regular basis to maintain the blue flowers, and the soil does have an amount of clay in it so I understand that I would have to ensure adequate moisture in summer (unless I could dig it out). Apart from that I'd just like a long-flowering season and a variety that is not too difficult to get hold of. For a 'new starter' such as myself could anyone be kind enough to offer some candidates that I could look for ?(I wonder if macrophylla may be more suitable for me) All advice would be very much appreciated, thank you.

  • 30/03/2009 07:53 PM
    In reply to
    • tomrobhub
    • waterlooville
    • 08 Oct 2008
    • 37
    Top 150 Contributor
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    hey there,

    2 you could try would be ;

    Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hamburg'

    H. serrata 'bluebird'

    in acid soil both will produce lovely blue flowers 

    all help and advice gratefully received!!
  • 30/03/2009 09:08 PM
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    Top 50 Contributor
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    hello pete - hydrangea 'mme. emile mouliere' is a lovely white variety which wouldn't get too large. some of the species (paniculata, quercifolia and 'annabelle' may all get too tall for you). as for the blue, it helps if you water these with rain water (more acid than some tap waters, unless you live in a soft water area). use hydrangea blue colourant regularly if your blues start turning lilac or pink.

  • 30/03/2009 10:16 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
    Top 10 Contributor is online
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     There are a lot of shrubs which would naturally provide blue flowers in your soil, why not consider one of those instead? You could also grow blue and white clematis through your chosen shrubs to extend the flowering season.

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.