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Mistakes Everyone Makes When Planting Hydrangeas
By JEANA HARRIS
Over-Fertilizing
Over-fertilizing can scorch your hydrangeas and create tons of foliage but no blooms. Whether you use a chemical or organic fertilizer, avoid putting it directly at the base of your hydrangea, and only cover the space under the outer circumference of your plant's branches.
Improper Pruning
Cutting your hydrangea at the wrong time can destroy the next year's blooms, but cutting too much may stunt its growth. If your hydrangeas bloom on old growth, they should only be pruned when they stop producing flowers, and if they grow on new growth, they should be pruned in the fall or before any green buds appear in the spring.
Overwatering
Overwatering will cause rotten roots, which will lead to yellowing leaves and stunted flower growth. For hydrangeas to thrive, the soil needs to be moist and well-draining, but not drenched.
Too Much Sunlight
Too much sun can cause your hydrangeas to droop and the blooms to fade quickly, and most hydrangeas do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Try placing the hydrangeas in a shadier spot when they’re dormant, but if you can’t, make sure to water them more frequently.
Poor Plant Placement
When planning, make sure to give your hydrangeas enough space to expand as they mature, or else they will crowd each other or other plants. In addition, make sure they are in a spot that gets a balance of sun and shade to avoid having a leafy plant with no flowers.