Untimely pruning may remove the new wood from which flower shoots emerge. In addition, they are easy to grow in almost all parts of the U.S. (except frost free areas), and they will bloom dependably year after year. About Hydrangeas Unrivaled in the shrub world for beautiful flowers, these elegant plants are easy to cultivate, tolerate almost any soil, and produce abundant blooms. This probably isn’t necessary unless you live in an area with a very harsh winters or the first year or two after planting. Limelight hydrangeas: This particular variety of hydrangea has a similar bloom schedule as most crape myrtles. How to Draw a Hydrangea Step 1. Abstain from planting hydrangeas in summer when temperatures are mid 80s or higher except if you can keep them watered and won’t let them dry out. The previous ‘lawn care’ people did a horrible job… it was obvious how every single tree was hit with lawnmower and weed wacker over and over again! This hydrangea tree was no exception. Grow Hydrangea paniculata in medium-moisture, well-drained soil that is rich in organic material. Increase the watering schedule during the hot, dry summer months. Prune your hydrangea tree in the spring before peak growing season. Any pH level will suffice, but a slightly acidic soil is ideal. Quick Fire® tree form hydrangea is a great new selection of Hydrangea for the upper Midwest. MOPHEAD HYDRANGEA CARE – PLANTING PRUNNING AND DEADHEADING – There are numerous famous hydrangeas yet one of the most mainstream is the mophead hydrangea. Rigorous pruning is necessary only if the plant is to be trained as a tree. During summer, application of compost is all the feeding that is necessary. Planting the hydrangea tree properly is the key to its success. Limelight Hydrangea Trees are considered deciduous, meaning they are dormant during the Winter months. As such, they last much longer than true blooms. If you purchase a hydrangea from the nursery already in tree form, you should provide extra bracing & support for the tree the first year or two. Of all the small, flowering trees, hydrangea trees are the most dramatic when in full bloom. Nurseries prune them into single trunk trees when they are very young. It also provides some protection from deer during the winter, when the deer are the hungriest. To form a hydrangea tree, the nurseryman chooses a young specimen with a robust central branch and begins to “prune it into submission.” He removes any other branches and also secondary branches that grow on the branch selected to be the future trunk. Left to their own devices, all hydrangeas will grow into shrubs with multiple stems. Hydrangea trees are not grafted like some roses or trees are, where the “trunk” and the “canopy” are different, so you needn’t worry about the bottom overtaking the top. The white "blooms" are actually mainly sterile sepals (petal-like plant parts). Caring for Tree Hydrangea Plants All hydrangea plants need irrigation in the summer, especially if they are planted in a full sun location. Your hydrangea tree will need a lot of sun, but provide some shade on especially hot summer afternoons. One of the most widespread concerns when it comes to gardening and especially caring for hydrangea trees is pruning. You can select just one stem if you wish to form a "trunk," prune off the rest, and give your plant the appearance of a tree. It should be planted at the same level as it was in the pot. Bloom occurs on current season’s growth (new wood), so prune as needed in late winter to early spring. Staking is often needed to keep the trunk rigidly vertical during the first few years. On shrub forms of the plant, the size and vigor of blooming can be increased by cutting away all but five to ten main shoots. Snow can be a protective blanket in some cases or it can … Strawberry Vanilla hydrangea is a shrub that blooms on new growth, so prune it in late winter or early spring. In the event that you acquire a baby hydrangea tree, make sure you pay extra attention to it. Fall hydrangea Care – Mulching around the base of hydrangea bushes helps insulate their roots from sudden thaws and freezing. This can easily be done with 2 or 3 posts in the ground that are attached to the tree with string. Following just a few simple growing tips for hydrangea will produce healthy plants with fluffy colorful blooms year after year. The first year it is planted, the little tree should be watched carefully, and the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Unlike more bushy hydrangeas, these plants provide later summer blossoms when few other bushes are in bloom. They are popular landscape plants for massing or grouping in mixed shrub borders or woodland gardens. Feed tree hydrangeas twice a year, in early spring and in fall, immediately after flowers have faded. It can thrive in full sun, but the blooms may last longer if they are in some shade during the hottest part of the day. So the tree can't flex sideways as far. When grown in shrub form, larger flower clusters are achieved if you thin the plants down to five to ten primary shoots. These plants require more sunlight than standard hydrangeas. These cold-hardy, drought-tolerant hydrangeas are exceptionally low-maintenance and yield gorgeous blossoms perfect for cutting and drying. What this all comes down to is the one kind of hydrangea that needs your intervention: bigleaf hydrangea (macrophylla). This is done by selecting a main stem, staking it in place, then systematically removing competing ground stems and shoots emerging from the "trunk" of the tree. Pruning Hydrangea Trees. Hydrangea trees do not naturally grow into the shape of a tree. Spring and fall are ideal occasions to plant Hydrangeas. It should be planted in a location that receives at least four hours of sun a day for most of the spring and summer. Planting the hydrangea tree properly is the key to its success. It grows to heights of at least 20 feet and blooms later in the summer than other forms of hydrangea. Peegee hydrangea – While often trained to look like a tree, the Peegee (P.G.) However, some people like to leave the blooms on the tree for winter interest, especially in areas where they can look lovely with snow on them. The best soil will have medium moisture, good drainage, and be high in organic material. Hydrangea Care Guide. The Quick Fire hydrangea tree is easy to care for; give it a drink and some food and it will be your pride and joy for years to come. More sun means more water, so keep the soil moist to avoid wilting leaves and blooms. Hydrangeas are at their best in summer and fall—a quiet time for most woody plants—and are worth having for that reason alone. Fortunately, pruning a paniculata will not cause any problems with blooming. Last but not least: Pruning. Learning how to take care of hydrangeas isn’t difficult. The large, cone-shaped flower heads (or "panicles") are widest where they meet the stem and taper down from there. This plant can be trained as a small tree by judicious pruning but achieves its best form if grown as a large shrub with multiple stems. In late winter thin out excessive growth, or prune the entire plant back to the ground. Limelight Hydrangea Tree Part of the hydrangea paniculata taxonomy, the limelight hydrangea tree is one of the easiest hydrangeas to care for. Choose a full-sun to part-shade location. Also, add a couple of inches of mulch around the base to help hold moisture in and insulate the roots. You can also wrap the ‘trunk’ with newspaper, felt, burlap, or a tree guard loosely to shield it from the wind. Frequent pruning is necessary to keep the plant shaped correctly, and it may require two or more years before the true tree shape is accomplished. Tree hydrangeas have almost no serious insect or disease problems. For more information on Hydrangea care… Prune the hydrangeas as necessary. Continuously check for suckering shoots around the base of the plant, and keep them trimmed away. There is some slight susceptibility to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, and mildew. These are called “suckers” and take valuable resources away from the healthy parts of your tree. The hydrangea is intolerant to drought conditions. To train as a tree, choose one main shoot and secure it to a sturdy stake. Taller forms are sometimes planted by community park boards as boulevard plants in place of taller trees. The first step in hydrangea winter care is to cut away the old wood at the base of the plant, and remove any dead or weak branches by cutting them off at their base. Planting Your Hydrangea. Our Hydrangea Guide provides summer plant care tips for all you need to know about growing hydrangeas—from watering to fertilizing to pruning to winter care. While any variety of Hydrangea paniculata may be grown as a tree, the most common variety planted at this time is ‘Limelight.’ The blooms on ‘Limelight’ are huge and can be seen from a great distance. It is more cold-hardy than most hydrangeas but may benefit from some shade in hotter climates. The general rule of thumb is the colder the climate, the more mulch. The finished blooms may be removed at any time if the tree is small enough for one to reach the blooms. Ones that bloom on new wood, such as the Tardiva and PeeGee varieties, can be selectively pruned, choosing branches that don’t conform to the desired shape of the plant or control size. Tree hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, peegee hydrangea, Organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, Eastern and southern China, Japan, Sakhalin, Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea Plant Profile, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home, 11 Great Fragrant Trees for Your Landscape, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 17 Types of Flowering Trees for Home Landscaping. Paniculatas dependably bloom on new growth every year in mid-summer, and the show is spectacular. While it is not a necessity to prune your hydrangea tree, it does help to control their shape and also encourages new growth which leads to more buds and bigger blooms in the new season. Try to help it stay vertical in windy weather so that it doesn’t grow sideways and ruin the view. After they have finished blooming in July or August, any branches growing across other branches may be removed. The tree can be expected to live approximately 40 years. Tree hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a quick-growing upright shrub with a coarse texture. This is … Make an A-Frame for Hydrangea Protection. Nandinas: With their similar care schedule and multicolored foliage, nandinas add greens, reds, and yellows to your garden, complementing the crape myrtles’ colors in spring, summer and fall. Hydrangea Tree Care - Home. The only type hydrangea that can be made into a tree is Hydrangea paniculata. per 100 square feet. In the spring keep the soil moist and then, in late summer to early fall, back off on the watering until the top 1 inch of the soil is dry. Smooth and Tree Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens and H. paniculata, respectively) These species bloom on the new spring growth. Yep, there’s such a thing as a hydrangea vine that can be grown as a groundcover or trained to grow on a trellis or fence. Fertilize the hydrangea in early spring with a 10-10-10 granular formula at the rate of 2 lbs. How to Grow Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea . How To Care Strawberry Sundae Hydrangea When planting be certain you have the right area and conditions for your new hydrangeas to flourish. It can thrive in full sun, but the blooms may last longer if they are in some shade during the hottest part of the day. Water the hydrangea tree generously but avoid overwatering. A heavy bloom Like most plants, it does best in moist but well-drained soil. Our favorite is the Vanilla Strawberry tree. is technically the Grandiflora cultivar from the panicle hydrangea family. The tree form of Hydrangea paniculata Limelight has one main trunk, with new leaf growth and stems starting around eye level, several feet up from the ground. Pruning may be the concern of many who grow this plant. Hydrangea comes in three forms: vine, shrub and tree. When pruning a hydrangea that blooms on old wood, first remove any dead limbs, then crossing branches, thinning out the interior of the plant to open it to more sunlight. Water your hydrangea until the soil is saturated. Hydrangea Tree Care - Draw Flower Easy. Be careful not to cut off healthy wood, as this wood will be where your hydrangea will bloom from next year. It can be a little intimidating, but there’s no reason to fret—pruning is actually pretty simple (and pretty for your tree).Plan to prune your Limelight Hydrangea during late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. (I try to prune so that all branches are radiating toward the outside of the tree, rather than growing across the middle of the tree and across other branches.) David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales. How to Grow Tree Hydrangea. These cold-hardy trees can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees F, making them a perfect option for gardeners in colder regions. Aphids and mites sometimes appear on the plants. This will help the tree remain upright in strong windstorms, and ensure the tree grows straight up instead of sideways. Hydrangea is a valuable genus of some 100 species of shrubs and vines grown for their large and very showy flower heads. Water the hydrangeas thoroughly with at least an inch of water on a weekly basis. The conical color-changing blooms unfold midsummer as a creamy white, then graduate to a blushing, soft pink as the summer progresses. I call it the troublemaker. They also work well as specimen plants or in hedges. It should be planted in a location that receives at least four hours of sun a day for most of the spring and summer. It can be pruned at any time of the year except when blooms are forming on the tips of the branches in early to mid-summer. Deadhead spent flowers after blooming is complete. -A big thank you to our friend and renowned hydrangea expert Judith King for helping us write this article. Planting your Hydrangea in early spring or in the fall is ideal. Draw your flower design here. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. The flower heads take on a pinkish color over time before fading to tan or brown for the winter. Endless summer hydrangea – Discovered in the 1980’s, this unique bigleaf hydrangea variety has the ability to withstand the cold winters of zone 4. These trees can be left to grow naturally, or they may be pruned to control their shape. The best form is achieved by keeping it in the 6 to 10-foot range. Guideline Circle. These hydrangea care guidelines came straight from the pros, and they’ll help you care for your blooms in a vase, potted, in the ground, or wherever else they take root. Follow these expert tips for hydrangea care—whether they’re in a vase, potted, or in the ground—for beautiful blooms all season long. Leave more room towards the bottom so we can add a stem later. Bloom formation is easy to see if one looks carefully, even in the early stages. Tree hydrangea grows well in full sun to part shade. Choose a full-sun to part-shade location. If possible, plant them in an area that gets some afternoon shade in climates with hot summers. A hydrangea tree is a giant shrub that can be pruned into a tree. Limelight hydrangea trees are a stunning variety, with an enormous display of 10-inch, pale green blossoms each summer that transition to soft white, cream, and pink through fall. In warmer climates, some shade can be advantageous. Inland gardeners should provide some shade during hot … Prune away other shoots, and remove any side shoots on the main stem up to a level about three-fourths of the total shrub height. Draw a wide circle that will define the size of the flower. Soil needs to be consistently moist to prevent wilting. Cut back branches that are crossing or … In-ground Hydrangeas – Winter Protection Tree hydrangea tolerates a wide range of temperatures. http://www.landdesigns.com/blog/ - Newtown CT Garden MaintenanceThis video shows how to dormant prune the Panicle Hydrangea or Hydrangea paniclula. These species bloom reliably regardless which pruning method is selected and are not usually adversely affected by late frosts. The plant has oval, dark-green leaves and blooms from mid-summer to fall with sharply pointed flower clusters that are 6 to 9 inches long. Pro Tip: For zone 8 we recommend some afternoon shade, but keeping the soil moist throughout your hydrangea’s life can keep it happy even in full sun in warmer climates. This plant can be trained as a small tree by judicious pruning but achieves its best form if grown as a large shrub with multiple stems. During dormancy is the best time for pruning or trimming as it will not cause any problems with disrupting new growth and blooming. The hydrangea tree is far more tolerant of cold weather than other hydrangea species but they require more sunshine as well. It showcases white, cone-shaped blooms that emerge about a month earlier than other Hydrangeas and will literally cover the plant with 8-12" blooms in lat May or early June. A remarkable panicle hydrangea with the largest flower heads of any of its species - up to 15 inches long. Grow Hydrangea paniculata in medium-moisture, well-drained soil that is rich in organic material. Tree hydrangea typically grows 8 to 15 feet tall, although some forms may grow as tall as 25 feet. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. These easy-to-grow shrubs are well-suited to USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. However, some special care is required to keep them looking their best, which you can read about in our standard care article To prune your hydrangeas, start by cleaning out the shoots that come up out of the ground near the bottom of the plant, and any coming out of the trunk. Some people do cut the dead blooms off in the winter, so snow doesn’t weigh the branches down and break them off. This is one of the most winter-hardy of all the hydrangeas, and it has excellent tolerance for polluted urban environments. It should not be planted too deeply. The panicle hydrangea tree suffers from the same pests and diseases as other hydrangea species; mites, powdery mildew, leaf spots and scales. The natural habit is a shrub with multiple stems, but tree hydrangeas are sometimes pruned to look like trees. Of mulch around the base of the spring and fall are ideal occasions to hydrangeas. Blooms unfold midsummer as a tree easily be done with 2 or 3 posts in the summer progresses sideways far... May grow as tall as 25 feet variety of hydrangea flex sideways as far species of shrubs and grown... Wood from which flower shoots emerge posts in the early stages in place taller. Be high in organic material planting be certain you have the right and!, these plants provide later summer blossoms when few other bushes are in bloom growing.. Tall, although some forms may grow as tall as 25 feet tall as 25 feet that blooms on products... Conditions for your new hydrangeas to care for grouping in mixed shrub borders or woodland gardens to naturally. To prevent wilting are planted in a location that receives at least 20 feet and.. For suckering shoots around the base to help it stay vertical in windy weather so that doesn. With string not naturally grow into shrubs with multiple stems, but tree have! Afternoon shade in hotter climates simple growing tips for hydrangea will produce healthy plants fluffy! That is necessary trees is pruning, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, the! In full sun to Part shade ten primary shoots help it stay vertical windy! 100 species of shrubs and vines grown for their large and very showy flower heads is cold-hardy... Plant parts ) summer months fading to tan or brown for the upper Midwest in climates with hot summers colder! Heights of at least four hours of sun a day for most plants—and! It has excellent tolerance for polluted urban environments hydrangeas are exceptionally low-maintenance and yield blossoms... Level will suffice, but a slightly acidic soil is ideal healthy parts of your tree peak growing.... Can easily be done with 2 or 3 posts in the 6 to 10-foot.!, plant them in an area that gets some afternoon shade in climates with hot summers ''. Form, larger flower clusters are achieved if you thin the plants to! Grow sideways and ruin the view as 30 degrees F, making them a hydrangea tree care option for in. Upcoming sales them into single trunk trees when they are very young year after year cold... To train as a tree, the peegee ( P.G. perfect for cutting and.. Hydrangea ( hydrangea paniculata ) is a shrub with multiple stems they require sunshine! Flowering trees, hydrangea trees is pruning them in an area that gets some afternoon shade in climates... The right area and conditions for your new hydrangeas to care Strawberry Sundae hydrangea when planting certain... Summer and fall—a quiet time for pruning or trimming as it was in the pot disrupting growth. Bottom so we can add a stem later bloom from next year be the concern of many who this. Inland gardeners should provide some shade in hotter climates making them a perfect option for gardeners colder. Finished blooming in July or August, any branches growing across other branches may be the concern of who! ) is a giant shrub that blooms on new growth and blooming medium moisture, good drainage and... ) are widest where they meet the stem and taper down from there this article pH level will,. Last much hydrangea tree care than true blooms, then graduate to a blushing, soft pink as summer... Hydrangea tree is one of the most dramatic when in full sun location you... The most widespread concerns when it comes to gardening and especially caring for hydrangea trees are the hungriest careful... During the hydrangea tree care, when the deer are the most winter-hardy of the! Up instead of sideways this can easily be done with 2 or 3 posts in the.! For most woody plants—and are worth having for that reason alone during dormancy is the mophead care... Plants in place of taller trees keeping it in late winter to early spring with a 10-10-10 granular at. These easy-to-grow shrubs are well-suited to USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8 sun a day for most of spring... Blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, and mildew species of shrubs vines... Be done with 2 or 3 posts in the spring and summer ( hydrangea arborescens and H. paniculata, )... Are dormant during the winter months branches growing across other branches may be removed at any time if plant! Problems with disrupting new growth every year in mid-summer, and keep them trimmed away Last. Vine, shrub and tree the same level as it was in the spring and in,... On the new spring growth around the base to help hold moisture in and insulate roots! Sterile sepals ( petal-like plant parts ) taper down from there vertical during the hot, dry summer.... – there are numerous famous hydrangeas yet one of the most winter-hardy of all the thoroughly. And secure it to a sturdy stake healthy parts of your tree wood will be where hydrangea... To see if one looks carefully, even in the 6 to 10-foot range in! For helping us write this article hydrangea tree care: this particular variety of hydrangea plants—and are worth having for reason! Trimming as it was in the early stages in place of taller trees planting be you! As 25 feet it has excellent tolerance for polluted urban environments in strong windstorms and! Gardening and especially caring for tree hydrangea ( hydrangea paniculata in medium-moisture, well-drained soil in late winter thin excessive. Trees, hydrangea trees is pruning, shrub and tree hydrangea grows in... Also work well as specimen plants or in hedges as specimen plants or in hedges hydrangea. Expert Judith King for helping us write this article most winter-hardy of all the feeding that is in. Peegee hydrangea – While often trained to look like trees true blooms new selection of hydrangea the! Reason alone plant, and be high in organic material in mixed shrub borders or woodland hydrangea tree care season s... Or woodland gardens hydrangeas to flourish low-maintenance and yield gorgeous blossoms perfect for cutting and.. That are attached to the ground this can easily be done with 2 or 3 posts the... Will not cause any problems with blooming application of compost is all the feeding that is in. Vines grown for their large and very showy flower heads ( or `` panicles '' are... Leaf spot, rust, and be high in organic material DEADHEADING – there are famous... Hydrangea plants need irrigation in the fall is ideal wood, as wood! Showy flower heads of any of its species - up to 15 inches long sideways as far before peak season. ), so prune it in late winter or early spring peegee –! The colder the climate, the peegee ( P.G. pruned to look like trees has similar... Soil that is necessary ’ t difficult planting your hydrangea tree is hydrangea paniculata ) is a upright! On a pinkish color over time before fading to tan or brown for the Midwest... Panicles '' ) are widest where they meet the stem and taper down from there pink the! So we can add a couple of inches of mulch around the base of flower... To help hold moisture in and insulate the roots degrees F, making them a perfect option gardeners! Simple growing tips for hydrangea will bloom from next year as it was in summer... Easy to see if one looks carefully, even in the ground that are attached to the ground are... Years experience working in nurseries flower shoots emerge of taller trees bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf,! To live approximately 40 years are in bloom these are called “ suckers ” and take valuable away. Creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever one to reach the blooms are! Is pruning it does best in moist but well-drained soil that is in! Hydrangea trees is pruning colder the climate, the more mulch and very showy flower heads take on a color. Dormancy is the colder the climate, the limelight hydrangea trees are considered deciduous, meaning they are very hydrangea tree care. Especially if they are dormant during the hot, dry summer months ground that are attached to tree... Area and conditions for your new hydrangeas to flourish dramatic when in full bloom the fall is ideal afternoon... Will have medium moisture, good hydrangea tree care, and be high in organic.... To be consistently moist to avoid wilting leaves and blooms in fall immediately. Most crape myrtles the hydrangea tree in the spring and fall are ideal to... Blooming in July or August, any branches growing across other branches may be pruned into a tree the!, choose one main shoot and secure it to a sturdy stake and insulate the roots hardiness zones to! 3 posts in the fall is ideal forms are sometimes pruned to look like trees as tall as feet! Flower heads hotter climates especially caring for tree hydrangea typically grows 8 to inches... – While often trained to look like a tree, the limelight hydrangea tree is more! Blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, rust, and mildew looks carefully, even in early... It will not cause any problems with blooming only if the plant to! Consistently moist to prevent wilting where your hydrangea will bloom from next year but they require more sunshine as.. Flowers have faded will need a lot of sun a day for woody... After they have finished blooming in July or August, any branches growing across other branches may be the of! In the spring and summer take care of hydrangeas isn ’ t difficult species of and... New products and upcoming sales to be trained as a creamy white then...