Picking Out The Right Hydrangea

How to Choose the Right Hydrangea

We have so many people who visit our small backyard nursery and most come unprepared. They have the best intentions but have failed to prepare for the new plant they seek. In this post we share some of our thoughts on how to choose the right plant for your landscape.

Before you even think about buying a new plant there are several things you should consider. First, how much sun does the area you want your new plant to grow? If you choose a plant that requires morning sun and afternoon shade and the spot you picked is all sun the plant will not thrive or will likely die. There are several plants that are made for full sun. While they may take a little shade just know that an all-sun plant that grows in partial shade may grow but you sacrifice flowers. We will likely ask when visiting our nursery "what are you looking for today." So many customers say something like "I want to purple hydrangea." We follow up with "sun or shade?" Then we get the deer in the headlights look. We ask because it makes a big difference! Some hydrangeas must grow in morning sun and afternoon shade. If you are in a full sun location you must pick plants suited for this type location. While we would be happy to sell you whatever you want we ask because we want to ensure your new plant thrives. Pictured below is an All Summer Beauty which is a member of the macrophylla family big leaf or mop head Hydrangea family. For zone 7b it will only thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade. Planting this beauty in full sun will cause this plant to die quickly in our area. Planted correctly this plant will produce an abundance of bloom each year on new and old wood! When people purchase these type plants they want purple or pink. The color of the blooms are dependent on the pH balance of YOUR soil. In another post I explain how to change the color of your blooms for these type plants.

If you want a Hydrangea in a full sun location you must seek out the hydrangeas from the Paniculata family. When you hear this term it means full sun. Keep in mind that full sun plants typically do not do well in part shade. Picture is a Silver Dollar Hydrangea. While this particular plant is more compact, from 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. There are other varieties that can reach up to 12 feet tall. So take the time to research the area you want to grow plants. Time the sun for the location you want. How much space do you have? What type of soil do you have? How much water does the plant need? Answer all of these questions before heading to a nursery and buying the first flashy plant you see. A little planning can go a long way in ensuring that you have the desire landscape you want.