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For true blue flowers, the hydrangeas need to be grown in acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower. For pink flowers, the plants need neutral to alkaline soils (pH 6.5 and higher). For purple blooms (or a mix of blue and pink flowers on the same plant), the pH of the soil must be between pH 5.5 and 6.5.
What is the best soil for growing hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas thrive in friable, loam soil and soil that has a high organic content. The soil needs to hold moisture and have a light structure that drains well. If the soil is rich in nutrients you will not need to add any fertilizer to the soil.
How do you prepare soil for hydrangeas?
To loosen the soil, mix dehydrated cow manure, garden compost or peat moss (up to 1/3 concentration) into your pile of topsoil. Make sure the peat moss you get is either baled sphagnum or granular peat.Common soil amendments: compost. sand. manure. lime. peat moss.
Do hydrangeas need specific soil?
Grow hydrangea plants in any rich fertile, moist soil. It’s a good idea to work in some well rotted manure or compost prior to planting Hydrangeas, and they will always appreciate a mulch of organic matter in spring to help conserve moisture at their roots and feed them up for them for the coming growing season.
Do hydrangea plants need ericaceous soil?
There is no variety of hydrangea that absolutely needs ericaceous compost, as they can get along quite well in almost any conditions, but it does bring with it some benefits. Now, this is something you only get with the mophead varieties, those that start out with some shade of pink or blue.
Can I use multi purpose compost for hydrangeas?
The type of compost you use is determined by the type of Hydrangea you have. Mop head Hydrangeas and Lacecap Hydrangeas will flower blue if grown in acidic soil and pink if grown in a alkaline soil. Most other types of Hydrangeas will be fine with Multi purpose John Innes Compost.
Are hydrangeas OK in clay soil?
Most hydrangeas will grow in an open sunny situation, but prefer light shade. They grow on most soils and thrive on heavy clay. Mulching the ground around the plants with compost or bark early in the season when the soil is moist also helps to retain moisture.
Can hydrangeas live in clay soil?
Yes, you can grow hydrangeas even in clay soil! In fact, smooth hydrangeas, also known as Annabelle hydrangeas, are native to North America and grow naturally in very heavy clay soils without a problem.
Is garden soil good for hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas aren’t especially picky about soil. Like most plants, they tend to grow best in soils that drain well. Heavy clay soils that retain water can quickly kill hydrangeas. Instead, aim to give hydrangeas soil that’s fertile and well-drained.
What kind of soil do white hydrangeas like?
All hydrangeas prefer humus-rich soil that does not dry out. Improve their chances by adding plenty of well-rotted organic material to their new home before planting.
Do hydrangeas benefit from ericaceous feed?
Acid-loving plants like hydrangeas benefit from ericaceous compost that raises the acidity of the soil and helps to alter the bloom color of hydrangeas. If the soil in your garden or planters is otherwise alkaline, this special compost is a quick way to change that.
What compost do hydrangeas like?
Hydrangeas will grow in either multipurpose or ericaceous compost but if you want them to turn blue, it is best to pot them in ericaceous compost.
What type of soil do pink hydrangeas need?
Like most hydrangeas, plants grown in alkaline soils produce pink flowers, while those grown in acid soils bear blue flowers.
Can You plant hydrangeas in gravel?
Add a layer of gravel. Before you add the soil to your planter, add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot. This additional layer will help provide better drainage. As mentioned, hydrangeas don’t like wet and muddy roots, so the additional layer can help pull water away from the plant.
How do you prepare clay soil for hydrangeas?
Dig a hole as deep as the pot and at least twice as wide. If your soil is clay like mine, dig a little deeper to move out the clay (and here, shale). Then add back in amended soil so that the top of the root ball is even with the top of the ground.
Do hydrangeas like full sun?
Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they’re in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.
Is clay soil acidic or neutral?
Soil pH values Acid or ‘ericaceous’ with a pH between 1 and 7, for example peaty soil. Neutral with pH of exactly 7, for example some clay soils.
What color will hydrangeas be in clay soil?
Clay soil can be both acidic and alkaline, depending on what other components are contained in it. However, such soil tends to be alkaline, so most likely, the color of hydrangea flowers will be pink.
Is peat moss good for hydrangeas?
Adding peat moss to your soil can loosen the soil allowing for better drainage, which is good for Hydrangeas. If you have sandy soil or clay soil, you should add peat moss to your soil before planting your Hydrangeas to help them thrive.
Will hydrangeas grow in alkaline soil?
Hydrangea is a shade-loving plant that enjoys a moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Alkaline soils have a pH of 7.5 or more. Hydrangeas grow best in soil that has a pH of 5.2-5.5. If your soil is not in that range, you will need to manipulate the soil so the plant can absorb its needed nutrients.
Which compost for hydrangeas in pots?
So a general rule of thumb is if you have blue Hydrangeas you need a good quality ericaceous (acid) compost to keep them blue and if you have pink Hydrangeas any good quality shrub compost should be fine. Most other types of Hydrangeas will be fine with good quality shrub compost.
Is ericaceous soil acidic?
Ericaceous compost is acidic, with a pH of between four and five. It’s suitable for growing ericaceous or acid-loving plants, which need a growing medium that’s free from lime (alkalinity), such as blueberries and rhododendrons.
Which plants like ericaceous soil?
If you are looking to grow the following plants, you will need an ericaceous compost to supplement growth; Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Hydrangeas, Holly, Fern, Gardenia, Aster, Magnolia, Pachysandra, Lupine, Pieris, Viburnum, Bleeding Heart, Japanese Maple, Juniper, Blueberries, Raspberries and Cranberries….
