One of the symbols of summer, hydrangeas burst into bloom around July. Making them a classic choice for foundations, flowering hedges, and billowy borders.
But why stop there? Hydrangeas come in so many fantastic forms, seductive colors, and playful flower shapes. They're one of the most useful plants with which to design all around the garden.
Our new series of hydrangeas, Seaside Serenade (and three other new hydrangeas, too–see below), presents you with sorts of possibilities. Here are three of the fun ways to use them. (Read more about the remarkable traits that makes these hydrangeas so different!)
Seaside Serenade® Outer Banks Hydrangea
Zone: 4 – 9
Delicate lacecap blooms smother this compact hydrangea. Excellent repeat bloomer for a shady space. Blooms will be blue in acidic soils and more pink in neutral to alkaline soils. Up to 4′ tall and wide.
AS A SURPRISE IN A FORMAL GARDEN
We love the look of billowing hydrangeas in cottage gardens. The large blooms amplify the effect of all the other flowers in beds and borders. But, hydrangeas, particularly the smooth (Hydrangea arborescens) and mophead (Hydrangea macrophylla) varieties are lovely. They're also not jarring as a counterpoint to the neat, geometric lines of formal garden beds. Plant any of these three in a mass with sheared boxwoods where you might otherwise plant roses.
Seaside Serenade® Martha’s Vineyard Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Long-lasting, sumptuous pink-red mophead blooms that are not influenced by soil pH. Aging flowers develop green. Up to 3.5′ tall, 3′ wide.
Seaside Serenade® Bar Harbor Hydrangea
Zones: 3 – 8
Masses of big, white flower heads put on a summer show, and sturdy stems hold up even in heavy rain. Up to 4′ tall and wide.
Seaside Serenade® Hamptons Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Huge blooms with thick, intense-pink florets on amazingly tough stems. Great fall foliage color! Up to 3.5′ tall and wide.
DRESSING UP A DIFFICULT SLOPE
If you have a challenging slope to mow or that's prone to erosion, try panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). These are also great for where you just don't want to fuss with regular maintenance. Also, try those with serrated leaves (Hydrangea serrata) which are typically more stem hardy, these can be an excellent solution. Unless you want to control their size, these type seldom need pruning. If the area gets regular watering either by rain or an irrigation system, you can easily grow these flowering shrubs.
Strawberry Shake™ Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 8
A gorgeous new panicle hydrangea, on a much more compact form. Sturdy stems support big, full flower heads mature to a delectable pink. Up to 5′ tall, 4′ wide.
Seaside Serenade® Cape May Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Very large lacecap blooms stand tall on strong, extra-thick stems. Foliage matures to red. Up to 3′ tall and wide.
Candy Apple™ Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 8
A new, irresistible variety with lime-green flower clusters on a compact form. Long-lasting blooms on very sturdy stems age to nearly pure white. Up to 5′ tall and wide.
FOCAL POINT IN A CONTAINER
Growing hydrangeas in containers has become much easier over the past decade as breeders have responded by producing shrubs. These are more compact in size but with the same huge, bodacious blooms of large plants. Potted-up hydrangeas do need a bit of extra care. Due to their large blooms, they require more water so check moisture levels daily and irrigate as needed. We especially love these three which have large, showy, colorful blooms.
Seaside Serenade® Cape Hatteras Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Stunning, long-lasting ruby red color on captivating mophead blooms that is not influenced by soil pH. Up to 3.5′ tall, 3′ wide.
Seaside Serenade® Cape Cod Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Hardy, repeat blooming machine with big, mophead flowers, extra-dark green leaves, neat, mounded form. Up to 4′ tall and wide.
Seaside Serenade® Fire Island Hydrangea
Zones: 4 – 9
Parade of color with long-lasting, bi-color white blooms edged in rich rosy-red that mature to deep-pink. Up to 3.5′ tall, 3′ wide.
Keeping Hydrangeas Happy
- Light: Partial shade to partial sun
- Soil: Provide organically rich, well-drained soil.
- Mulch: Apply mulch to conserve moisture and protect in harsh winters.
- Water: Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish extensive root system.
- Changing color: Soil and water pH influences bloom color; consult garden center for suitable amendments.
- Food: Feed in early spring.
- Pruning: Blooms on old wood; prune after flowering.