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Shauna's
Editorial Many gardeners love Hydrangeas! Just a few of the reasons why are because they love our climate, they look great in the garden and they make wonderful cut flowers both fresh and dried. I must confess I am not an indoor gardener so my home is filled with baskets and pots of dried blooms that keep the summer garden a lovely memory. One of the most popular varieties of Hydrangea is the lovely P.G. Hydrangea. The blooms on these are very large cone shape blooms that begin white with a faint greenish ting, turning pure white next for most of the time and then aging to a dusky pink. To grow P. G. Hydrangeas choose a site that is either half sun and shade or full sun. These hydrangeas can handle much more sun then the well know mop head (Hydrangea macrophylla) varieties. In fact because these are hardy to -30F/-34C these are often grown in the hot summer climates of the BC interior. They can be grown as a shrub or a standard (single trunk tree with full top). P.G. Hydrangeas bloom on new wood so therefore are pruned in the early Spring because they will form their flower buds on the new growth (unlike many mophead types). They are not fussy for soil type but still add a bit of peat and manure with your bonemeal and water regularly especially when it is hot. If you are transplanting in the summer heat remember to water all your new transplants carefully. Don't let them wilt in the summer heat and if possible use a transplanter fertilizer to promote a more vigorous, new root system. Mulching will help to avoid excess water loss from evaporation but be sure to keep the mulch back from the bark of your plant so you do not bury your new (or existing plants) too deep. If you would like to dry your new P.G. Hydrangea flowers, it is when the blooms are at the pinkish stage that they should be cut. Cutting too early causes the blooms to wilt and not keep their shape. Once cut simply place them in a vase with or without water in late August and enjoy them while they dry. Enjoy! ...Experience the Joy of Gardening! |
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