Ruqayyah Snyder
Hydrangeas are one of the world's most beloved flowers, and for good reason. With their flamboyant flower heads in cool blue, pink, white, or purple, they bring a burst of colour to gardens in Australia and around the world. They are also reliable and easy to grow, making them a great option for gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike. In Australia, the best time to plant hydrangeas is during the cooler months of autumn and winter (March to August), allowing the roots to establish before the hot summer months. In this article, we will explore the different ways to grow hydrangeas in Australia, from planting and potting to pruning and propagation, so that you can enjoy these stunning blooms in your own backyard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Hydrangeas can be grown in sub-tropical, temperate and cool climate zones. They thrive in well-drained, organically rich soil. |
| When to grow | Hydrangeas can be planted year-round but are commonly available during winter and in late spring and summer when they're flowering. |
| Where to grow | Hydrangeas grow best in a garden bed or pot that receives gentle morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled shade all day. |
| Soil | Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained, rich, and loamy soil. Incorporate organic matter such as compost to enhance soil fertility and drainage. |
| Watering | Hydrangeas require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water deeply at least once a week, more often during hot, dry periods. |
| Feeding | Fertilize hydrangeas in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. |
| Pruning | Prune hydrangeas in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged wood and shape the plant as desired. |
| Colour | The colour of the flowers can change from blue to pink and vice versa, depending on the pH of the soil. |
| Planting depth | Plant hydrangea shrubs at the same depth they were in their nursery pots. |
| Spacing | Space hydrangea plants about 1-1.5 meters apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right location and soil
Hydrangeas are versatile plants that can be grown in a variety of locations, including sheltered garden beds, pots, or as an informal hedge in a semi-shaded area of the garden. They are perfect for part shade and can even flower in bright shade. However, avoid heavy, all-day shade as this can lead to problems like powdery mildew on the foliage. If you live in an area with strong winds, consider planting hydrangeas in a sheltered spot or providing a windbreak.
When choosing a location, opt for a spot with gentle morning sun and afternoon shade. The mophead varieties of hydrangea, for example, the classic pink or blue mophead "Original", grow best in filtered shade or a combination of sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Avoid exposing them to the hot afternoon sun or the hottest part of the day, as too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and flowers.
Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained, organically rich, and loamy soil. When planting, improve the soil by digging in additional organic matter such as compost and cow manure to enhance soil fertility and drainage. If growing in pots, choose a well-drained pot that is at least 30 cm wide for compact or dwarf varieties, and at least 50 cm wide for other varieties. Use a premium potting mix, and ensure the pot is placed in a location that receives gentle morning sun or dappled sun all day.
The colour of hydrangea flowers can be influenced by the pH level of the soil or potting mix. To encourage pink or pale pink blooms, create alkaline soil with a pH above 7. For blue blooms, make the soil acidic with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Pale purple or light blue flowers can be achieved with slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.
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Preparing the soil
Hydrangeas thrive in well-draining, organically rich, loamy soil. Before planting, dig in additional organic matter such as compost and cow manure to enhance soil fertility and drainage. You can also add water-retaining crystals to the soil to help retain moisture. After planting, mulch the surface of the soil to a depth of about 3–5 cm to further conserve moisture.
If you are planting hydrangeas in a pot, use a premium potting mix. Part-fill your chosen pot with the mix, then gently remove the hydrangea from its nursery pot and place the root ball on the potting mix. Backfill around the roots with more potting mix until the final level of mix is the same as the level currently around the plant.
Hydrangeas are hungry plants, so it's important to fertilise the soil before planting and regularly during the plant's life. Fertilise once every 6 months in late winter and again in summer with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, as these can promote leaf growth over flower production.
The colour of hydrangea flowers can be influenced by the pH of the soil. To encourage pink or pale pink blooms, create alkaline soil with a pH of 7–8.5 using a lime or dolomite lime product. For blue blooms, make the soil more acidic (pH 4.5–5.5) using a sulphur or acidic plant food. Pale purple or light blue flowers will appear in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7).
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Watering and feeding
Hydrangeas require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water deeply at least once a week, and more often during hot, dry periods. To retain soil moisture, mulch around the base to a depth of about 3–5 cm. During hot weather, spray foliage with Yates Waterwise DroughtShield, which forms a clear film over the leaves and helps reduce moisture loss by up to 50%.
Hydrangeas are hungry plants, so improve the soil with compost before planting and fertilise regularly. Fertilise every 6 months in late winter and again in summer with a controlled-release fertiliser. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers as they can promote leaf growth over flower production.
If you're growing hydrangeas in pots, choose a pot that is at least 30–50 cm wide and keep the potting mix consistently moist. For long-term growth, pot up into a bigger pot, using premium potting mix.
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Pruning
Hydrangeas should be pruned during the winter, when the plant is in its "winter mode". You will notice the leaves yellowing and perhaps some grey mildew on the foliage. Don't worry, this is natural, and the hydrangea is deciduous, so the leaves will fall off without causing any harm to the plant. You will also notice spent flowers from the last season, which is a good indication that it is time to prune.
When pruning, you should only trim back the stems that have flowered, making the cuts just above a pair of buds. It is important to not remove more than one-third of the plant at any one time. If you are just shaping the plant, take the top growth down a little. If you need to severely prune or rejuvenate the plant, you can take the branches all the way down to near the ground.
If you are pruning for the first time, start with the easy bits. First, cut out all the dead flower head stems, working from the outside of the shrub inwards. If your hydrangea is large or densely growing, cut back as far as you can reach, and you can always do a second cut afterwards, a bit lower. Cut with sharp secateurs at a low angle, just above the 'node'—the point where the new leaves emerge from the main stem. Leave about three to four new leaf buds on each stem.
Some newer varieties of big-leaf hydrangea, such as 'Endless Summer', can be pruned at any time of the year and will still bloom. However, pruning right after blooming will maximise flowering.
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Propagating
Hydrangeas can be propagated by taking softwood cuttings in spring or early summer. To do this, take a 10 cm cutting from the growing tip of a stem no thicker than a pencil. Dip the cut end into hormone rooting powder or gel, then place the cutting into a pot filled with a seed and cutting potting mix. Keep the potted cuttings moist and in a warm, shaded spot until they develop roots. Once they have roots and new growth, transplant them to larger pots or your garden.
Hydrangeas can also be grown from seeds, but this method is less common and more difficult. To grow hydrangeas from seeds, you will need to collect and dry the seeds before planting them in a seed-starting mix. Keep the soil moist and warm until the seeds germinate, which can take several weeks. Once the seeds have sprouted, you can transplant the seedlings to individual pots or your garden.
When propagating hydrangeas, it is important to choose the right location and provide the necessary care. Hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, and they require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water them deeply at least once a week, and more often during hot, dry periods. Fertilise hydrangeas every six months, in late winter and again in summer, with a controlled-release fertiliser. Prune hydrangeas in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing dead or damaged wood and shaping the plant as desired.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant hydrangea shrubs is during the cooler months of autumn and winter (March to August in Australia).
Hydrangeas grow best in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. They can grow in full sun or part shade, but too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and flowers.
Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained, organically rich, and loamy soil. The colour of the flowers can be influenced by soil pH, with pink flowers developing in alkaline soil and blue flowers in acidic soil.
For potted hydrangeas, choose a well-drained pot that is at least 30-50cm wide. Use a premium potting mix and keep the soil consistently moist. Potted hydrangeas should be placed in a position that receives morning sun and is sheltered from strong winds.
