Hydrangea are endemic to the woodlands of Eastern Asia and North and South America.
Beautiful original species standard that will always remain a favorite. Nikko Blue ranges from a sky blue in alkaline soils to a dark majestic midnight blue in acidic soils. Very strong grower in most climates. Use these on the east side of your house or plant en masse under your trees for a dramatic summer look!
| Plant Types: | Interior Plant, Perennial, Shrub |
| Light: | Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 4 feet |
| Width: | 4 feet |
| Zones: | 6a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Blue |
| Bloom Seasons: | Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer |
| Special Features: | All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Not North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded |
| Fertilizer: | Chelated Iron, Water Soluble Acid-Loving Plant Food |
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Dig a hole one foot wider and about as deep as the plant's root ball. Do not plant too deep. Roots should be visible at the surface of the soil and the top of the root ball should be even with the surrounding soil. In clay soil, the root ball should be slightly higher.
Remove plants from their containers. Place plants in hole. Loosen roots by making four or five slashes, about one-inch deep vertically down the root ball with a knife. Then tease the roots out so they will grow into the surrounding soil. Be careful not to knock too much soil from the root ball.
Back fill with a mix of existing soil and 1/2 soil amendment thoroughly mixed. In sandy porous soils, use sphagnum (Canadian) peat moss. In dense clay or poorly drained soils, use soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark).
Water thoroughly. Then only water when the soil is dry to the touch about 1 1/2 inches or knuckle deep. Check regularly and only water when necessary.
To give your new plant a head start, use a very mild solution of water soluble root-stimulating fertilizer which is high in phosphorous and potassium.
Hydrangeas can grow in a wide range of conditions. Protect them from cold drying winds.
Flowers bloom in the spring, often pink or blue, in clusters called flowerheads. A flowerhead contains small fertile flowers surrounded by 4-petalled sterile florets.
Hydrangea plants prefer ample moisture, with the pH depending on the cultivar. Species can become chlorotic if grown in alkaline soil.
Feed twice a year, once at the beginning of spring and once at the beginning of summer.
Most Hydrangea macrophyllas (excluding the Reblooming/Remontant varieties) produce flowers on the previous season's growth. Prune off last season's blooms to just above the first pair of buds. Once the plant is established and has reached a suitable size, cut back ¼ of the oldest shoots with blooms on them. This will promote replacement growth, but will maintain the size of the plant.
Prune annually in early to midspring.
Aphids and slugs can be a potential problem for Hydrangeas. Other issues include powdery mildew, ringspot virus, leaf spots, gray mold, and rust, all of which are quite common.