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Hydrangea
Hydrangeas have large blooms that bring flamboyant colour to the garden in late summer and autumn. They're easy to grow, dependable and improve with age. Use them in big, bold groups in the border, or even in large containers.
Mophead hydrangeas (with rounded heads of large flowers) come from Japan, where the native species with lacecap flowers (flattened heads of small flowers) have been grown for hundreds of years.
When these plants reached the west in the 18th century they caused a sensation, initially being treated as tender and grown indoors.
The increase in new varieties with improved colour began 100 years ago in French, German and English nurseries. There's now a bewildering choice and even the experts can't always distinguish between them.
The following climbing hydrangeas are worth trying if you have a large, sturdy bare wall (possibly in light shade) that needs an evergreen covering.
The soil type determines the flower colour - acid, for example, produces blue flowers. To create blue on a limey soil, use a blueing compound composed of aluminium sulphate. However, the results won't compare with plants growing in acid soil.
Alternatively, grow a compact variety, such as 'Blue Bird', in a large container filled with lime-free compost and supplement its liquid feed with a blueing compound.
Hydrangeas are true survivors and can often be seen flowering in overgrown or neglected gardens.
Mopheads and lacecaps prefer dappled shade against a north- or west-facing wall. If it's too bright they're likely to scorch.
Their leafy shoots need plenty of moisture during the summer. Apply a mulch to drier soils to lock in moisture and promote decent-size flowers.
Plants also need to be sheltered from cold winds, which can frazzle new foliage during the spring.
Pruning isn't essential but can be done each spring as new shoots appear. With established plants, just remove one-third of the older, less productive stems and cut back old flowering stems to a strong pair of buds.
Leave old flower-heads on over winter to provide frost protection to new growth. The brown papery domes look fantastic when covered with frost.
Left unpruned, hydrangeas will continue to bloom but the size of the flower-heads will be reduced by the overcrowded stems.
H. paniculata needs to be cut back completely each spring.
National Collections of hydrangeas:
PR Smith Derby City Parks 15 Stores Road, Derby Derbyshire DE21 4BD Tel: 01332 715560
S Wingett The Garden House, Erbistock Wrexham LL13 ODL Tel: 01978 781149
S Newman Lakeland Horticultural Society at Holebird Patterdale Road, Windermere Cumbria LA23 1NP Tel: 01539 446008 Website: (External) www.holehirdgardens.org.uk
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