Plant of the Month

June 2004

Hydrangea, Something for Everyone

Don't the hydrangea's look beautiful this year? For that very reason hydrangea was selected as June's Plant of the Month. At the Wilson Botanical Gardens (WBG), located at the Wilson Ag. Center, 1806 S. Goldsboro Street, we have at least four varieties of hydrangea.

Two are Hydrangea macrophylla, Bigleaf Hydrangea. They typically grow 3-6 feet in height and width in a rounded habit. Leaves are 4-8 inches long and medium to dark green in color. Fall color is yellow but not dependable. The stems are light brown color and some branches die back in the winter. Remove dead stems in spring when new growth in evident. Flowers bloom on last year's growth so do not prune until after flowering. Flowers range in colors (blue, pink, purple, red) and shape verses mop or lacecap. Flower color may be dependent on the pH of the soil. Limed soils have pink flowers, under-limed soils have blue flowers. Flowers can also be sterile or fertile so variations occur there also. They do best in moist, well-drained soils amended with organic matter. Full to partial shade. Leaf spot is the most common cultural problem but occurs late in the season so spraying is rarely necessary. One of our plants is a hortensias with large blue flowers, the other is 'Mariesii Variegata' a white variegated leaf with blue lacecap flowers. 'Mariesii Variegata' is not a real vigorous grower and does revert back to green shoots which should be removed. Grow about 3 feet in height. Both of these are in full bloom now.

Hydrangea paniculata - Panicle Hydrangea is typically a larger growing plant 10 feet by 10 feet. Tends to have an arching or weeping habit. Older bark can be gray-brown, ridged and furrowed. Flowers are white changing to pink and bloom a little later in the year mid-July. Flowers are 6-8 inches long. They grow best in loamy, moist, well-drained soils. Sun or partial shade. Flowers on new wood and proper pruning will make it a more attract plant. Most urban tolerant hydrangea. The cultivar at the WBG is 'Grandiflora' or commonly known as PeeGee Hydrangea. Almost all of the flowers are sterile and large starting white changing to purplish-pink and then brown. Flowers range from 6-8 inches up to 12-18 inches long depending on pruning and fertilization practices.

Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia is one of the most prized of all hydrangeas for it's unusual oak-like leaf shape. Stems are very hairy and brown. Older bark exfoliates to a cinnamon-brown. It typically grows 4-8 feet in height and spread. This hydrangea is more upright and irregularly branched. Best hydrangea for fall color, shades of red, orange and purple are common. Flowers are white changing to purplish pink then brown, 4-12 inches long and 3-4 inches wide. Blooms in late June-July. It is a slow grower and tends to thrive in certain locations and then barely grow in others. Be sure to plant in a moist, fertile, well-drained soil with partial shade. Mulch well to maintain a cool, root system. Quite a trouble free plant when sited correctly.

Please come out and enjoy the WBG which is open daily from sun up until dusk. The Wilson County Master Gardeners can answer gardening questions from 1-3 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by calling 237-0113 or email at wilsonmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Date Created: 6/28/04.