Use and Care Manual

feet. In sandy soil, peat moss can help absorb moisture. Additionally, good soil should
have at least 5 percent organic matter, compost material also known as humus. This
should be spread 2 – 6 inches deep across the entire bed. Hydrangeas typically grow
best with a higher level of organic material. Especially in clay soil, organic matter
creates air pockets that greatly help with water drainage.
Planting Hydrangeas:
Once you have prepared your soil, lay out the plants in your intended design. Be sure to
keep in mind full mature size of the plants, ensuring that they will barely touch at full
size. This will make your garden look full and allow for air to still circulate through the
garden. Dig your planting hole slightly larger than the pot size, and place any fertilizer
(see below), organic material or nutrients needed to improve your soil mix in the hole
before putting your hydrangea macrophylla in place. If the roots are tightly packed,
loosen them gently with your fingers before planting the hydrangea macrophylla to
encourage root growth and spread once in the ground. Make sure that the crown of the
plant – where the base of the stems meets the soil – is even with the ground level. If the
hydrangea is placed too high, it can easily dry out. If the crown is placed too low when
planting, it can cause hydrangeas not to bloom and potentially rot. Refill the hole with
soil and pack it firmly around the crown to create a water dam around the newly planted
hydrangea. Fill the dam with water, let it drain and then refill it.
Fertilizing:
Hydrangeas do especially well when fertilizers are effectively used in spring or early
summer. We recommend using a granular, slow-release fertilizer with a high percentage
of phosphorus (the middle number in the NPK ratio). Phosphorus is the element that
encourages bloom production. Follow the package instructions when applying fertilizer
and be sure not to use too much. Over-fertilizing can cause hydrangeas to grow big
green leaves, but stunt bloom production.
Watering:
Hydrangeas prefer well-drained, moist soil, but not wet; overwatering can cause
hydrangea macrophylla to produce less flowers. Depending on your soil type, you will
need to adjust how frequently and how much you water. Clay soil holds more water than
sandy or loam soil types and produces more runoff because it doesn’t allow as much
water to soak in as a looser sandy soil. We recommend using a drip irrigation system, a
soaker hose or hand watering the shrubs when the ground feels dry. If your hydrangeas
are planted in an area that sees high temperatures, they may wilt a bit in the afternoon,
but will revive when the temperatures cool down. You can assist with this by watering in
the morning or evening when the wind is more still and the sun less hot. Using mulch is
another great way of conserving water and keeping the ground cool. Mulched plants
typically can go longer periods of time between watering than non-mulched plants.