There are over 100 species of hydrangea shrubs and small trees found mainly in temperate Asia and Americas. Hydrangea macrophylla is often grown for its stunning flowers which can be blue, red, pink depending on soil pH. Popular varieties include mophead cultivars like 'Saturn' and lacecap cultivars like 'Annabelle'. Hydrangeas thrive in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. They are winter hardy and flower in summer through autumn. Dried hydrangea blooms can be beautifully preserved by allowing them to dry fully on the shrub before picking.

1. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeaceae

2. Summary
There are around 100 species of deciduous and evergreen
shrubs, small trees and climbers in this genus.
They are found mainly in temperate Asia, with a few species in the Americas and their preferred
habitat is moist woodland areas.
Hydrangeas have brittle, pithy stems and dark green leaves with serrated edges, but they are grown
chiefly for their stunning flowers and, in Hydrangea macrophylla, flower colour can vary depending
on the soil - acid soils produce blue flowers and alkaline soils produce red and pinks.
The cultivars of this species are divided into 2 groups: Mopheads (hortensias) - of which there are
around 500 cultivars, and Lacecaps - which number about 20 cultivars.
Dried hydrangea leaves become very sweet and are used to make the 'tea of heaven' for Buddhist
ceremonies.
Flowering Season: Summer, Spring and in come cases Autumn

3. Appearance
Though most gardeners grow hydrangeas for their flowers, the foliage too can be quite impressive,
with large, dark green oval leaves, often with serrated edges.
Flower heads are made up of very small fertile flowers surrounded by larger, eye-catching, 4-
petalled, sterile florets, and usually emerge in spring and summer.
Colours range from white through to red, purple, and blue.
Whites are always white in most soils but may tend to slight
blue or pink markings if highly acidic or alkaline.

4. Cultivation
This is an adaptable genus suitable for a range of situations.
Most garden hydrangeas are tough plants that thrive in moist,
humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Plant in a position in sun or dappled shade that offers
protection from the hottest sun.
Prune hard in late winter to remove any old or dead wood.
Grow Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars to suit the soil pHcolour
can be changed by dressing with aluminium sulphate for blue
blooms and with lime for red blooms.
Propagation is usually from taking softwood cuttings in summer
or hardwood in winter though the species may be raised from
seed.

5. Fertilising
Hydrangeas grow best if they are fertilized once or twice in the summer. Although some authorities
recommend special fertilizer mixes to get the maximum results, hydrangeas do amazingly well with
a more relaxed approach.
Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully. Since an organic method of
applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves
the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil
can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect.
Don't fertilize after February. Autumn is the time for hydrangeas to begin preparing for dormancy.
Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter.

6. Varieties (sourced from Brenlissa Online Nursery http://brenlissaonlinenursery.com.au )
Macrophylla Mopheads 0.9 -1.2m H x W.
'Saturn' Two tone Mophead Red Purple

7. Mopheads contd.
Arborescens Leuchtfeuer Pink
‘Annabelle’ White
1.5 mtrs deciduous in cold climates to 1m 1.2mtr high x width

8. Lacecap
White Mariesii Perfecta’ Pink
Syn ‘Blue Wave’
1.0 -1.5m h x w 2mtrs h x w 0.9 -1.2m h x w

9. Blue Rotschwanz Jogasaki
0.9 -1.2m h x w

10. Unusual Varieties
Holstein Setsuka-yae Bridal Bouquet
up to 1.5 mtrs
to 1 mtr
To 1.0m h x w

11. Contd.
Heinrich Seidel Mousseline President Doumier
1.2mtrs h x w
to 1.5mtrs 1-2 mtrs h x w

12. Contd.
Paniculata
Large, sometimes giant white flower heads reaching 6 to
18 inches long turn pinkish with age. A fast-growing
shrub that can reach 10 feet tall if allowed. Hydrangea
paniculata is one of the most cold-hardy species. It may be
grown as a single-stemmed tree specimen or as a multi-
stemmed shrub. An annual prune is recommended for shape
and size.

13. Climbing Hydranga
Petiolaris
In mid summer the white lacecap-style
hydrangea flowers are huge, up to 10in (25cm)
across, and can almost cover the stems
completely. The craggy stems cling to the walls
by adventitious roots.

14. Drying Hydrangeas
You can have beautifully dried hydrangeas that are as lovely as
any you can purchase. When first starting to dry hydrangeas you
might be tempted to try one of these:
• slamming them into a hot car boot
• hanging them up-side-down in a dry attic
• placing them in water that gradually evaporates.
In every case you will end up with wilted hydrangea blooms.
The secret to perfectly dried hydrangeas is very simple. Wait until
they are ready before picking them. The timing is much more
important than the method used to dry them.
While it is tempting to cut the hydrangea blossoms for drying at
the height of their color, this doesn't work. Fresh, recently
opened blooms, rarely dry well in the open air. Hydrangeas do
best when allowed to dry on the plant before picking them.

15. Contd.
Leave blooms on the shrub until late summer.
Toward the end of the summer the petals will
begin to age and take on a vintage look. If left on
the shrub a while longer, many blooms will pick up
interesting shades of burgundy and pink.
You can cut the blooms, strip off the leaves,
arrange them in a vase, with or without water, and
leave them to dry.
It is not necessary to hang hydrangeas up side
down to dry unless the stems are very thin and
weak.

16. Questions?
Pinky Winky (paniculata)