Light/Watering: The majority of types prefer midday shade in the South but flourish in full sun in the North. Plants should not be grown in hot, dry, exposed locations; moist soils that do not dry out are desirable. Mulch helps to stabilize soil temperatures and preserve moisture.
Fertilizer/Soil and pH: For some cultivars, the color of the flowers is influenced by the soil’s pH; blossoms in low pH (acidic soils) will be blue, while those in higher pH will be pink. Deep, bright blues typically result from a pH below 5.0, however as the pH rises, blooms can range from blue to lavender to mauve to a vivid deep pink at pH 7.0. (neutral). Aluminum availability in the soil is dependent on pH; in acidic soils, aluminum is more easily obtainable, which contributes to the blue hue of the flowers. Using a fertilizer low in phosphorus will help you grow blue blooms because this nutrient binds up aluminum in soils. If you want pink flowers but your soil is acidic, all you have to do is add lime to boost the pH and use a balanced fertilizer. If you want blue flowers, aluminum sulfate will cause the pH to decrease.
To learn more about soil testing in your area, we advise you to contact your cooperative extension service. For a list of organizations taking part in the Cooperative Extension program, see this page.
No significant diseases or pests. The foliage can occasionally become infected with powdery mildew, especially in humid places with poor air circulation. If the issue is severe, use a suitable fungicide and be sure to rake up and remove all fallen foliage in the fall.
Pruning: Only minor pruning is required, but by the end of August, trim back stems by about one-third if shrubs are too big. Prune only the dead wood in the spring. On aged wood, the majority of Hydrangea serrata types bloom. A variety called H. s. Tuff StuffTM produces flowers on both old and new wood. If no fall pruning was done, stems can be trimmed down by a third in the spring if necessary, although doing so would prevent shrubs from blooming until late summer and will sacrifice the old wood’s ability to blossom.
Young plants can be moved when they are dormant in the early spring; once established, it is more difficult to transport bigger tree-form kinds. After transplanting, prune the top growth to minimize water loss.
End-of-Season Maintenance: Remove and burn any fallen leaves that has powdery mildew or other fungi on it.
Remove any dead wood from all kinds in the early spring. Check the pH of the soil and change it if necessary to achieve the desired blossom color. To promote blooming, feed plants with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer (such as 15-30-15). Transplant any necessary items before the leaves unfold.
Mulch plants in the middle of spring when the soil has warmed up to retain moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Observe for powdery mildew and take necessary action.
Summer: Cut off old flowering stems as soon as the blooms start to fade. By the end of August, prune as necessary in the manner described above.
Fall: Get rid of any powdery mildew-infected leaves that has fallen to the ground. Plants might be shortened or pruned all the way to the ground if they are not pruned in the spring.
How much do you prune Tuff Stuff hydrangea?
Light is necessary.
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prefers soil that is wet and well-drained. In extremely hot temperatures, additional water may be required. The afternoon shade is useful in hotter areas. It benefits from a 2-3″/5-7 cm covering of mulch made of finely chopped bark, like many hydrangeas do.
The only time Tuff Stuff hydrangea should be pruned is in the spring, when the stems start to sprout new growth. Oldest stems of older plants may need to be periodically trimmed.
Depending on the soil, flowers’ colors will differ. Aluminum, a naturally occurring soil mineral, is plentiful in acidic soils, where the hue tends to be more purple-blue. Flowers will be a rich shade of pink on soils that are alkaline or deficient in aluminum.
On new or old wood, does the Tuff Stuff hydrangea bloom?
The soil must be well-drained for the Tuff Stuff hydrangea. For optimal results, plant these where there is at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Mulch should be applied to assist maintain moisture and to shield the roots from the chilly winter temperatures.
Tuff Stuff hydrangeas don’t require pruning because they are such compact shrubs. Branches that are unhealthy or dead can be removed at any time of the year. This bush produces flowers all through the growing season and blooms on both old and fresh wood.
Before growth appears in the early spring, fertilize the plant. Use fertilizer with a controlled release that is designed for woody plants, such trees or roses.
Why aren’t the flowers on my Tuff Stuff hydrangea blooming?
Here is this week’s Plant Pick of the Week from PennLive garden reporter George Weigel:
* What it is: The inability of hydrangeas to bloom is a common complaint, which is typically caused by a cold winter or improper pruning that resulted in the loss of flower buds. Tuff Stuff resembles a conventional lacecap-type hydrangea, but instead of the more prevalent lower-elevation, big-leaf hydrangea, it is a mountain hydrangea species that is endemic to colder hilltops and flowers much more consistently (Hydrangea macrophylla).
Deep pink Tuff Stuff blooms in alkaline soil and purple-blue Tuff Stuff blooms in acidic soil. Although its peak bloom is in June, this plant often blooms again in the fall and has excellent disease resistance.
* Where to use: The ideal location is next to an east-facing home’s foundation or in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
* Maintenance: No pruning is required if the size is acceptable. The optimal time to prune is soon following the June peak bloom if size control or thinning is required. Browned flower heads can always be removed using scissors.
Although typically not necessary, an annual spring spreading of a balanced, organic granular fertilizer is beneficial. To get blue flowering instead of pink flowering, scatter sulfur or another acidifying fertilizer in the spring and early fall.
Keep the soil continuously moist for the first year to help the roots take hold, and then soak it once a week during hot, dry spells.
Pair with any blue-leafed hosta or the brunnera Sea Heart or Silver Heart for excellent companions. A suitable groundcover partner is leadwort.
Tuff Stuff is a sort of hydrangea, right?
Bud-resistant rebloomer We developed Tuff StuffTM Hydrangea serrata because we needed a hydrangea that could flower on fresh wood and had better bud and stem resilience. Early summer is a riot of color thanks to the deep pink lacecap flowers, and the plant keeps blooming until the first frost. The semi-double to double florets start out with a creamy core hue before developing into a vivid pink color. The Tuff StuffTM series of reblooming hydrangeas are the ones that live up to their promise if you’ve had uneven results with H. macrophylla.
Little Tuff Stuff hydrangeas grow where?
Mountain hydrangea known as Tiny Tuff StuffTM (Hydrangea serrata). The ideal amount of sunlight or shade for each plant to thrive is: Part sun (four to six hours), full shade, and full sun (up to 4 hours).
How large can a dwarf hydrangea grow?
You can enjoy these lovely shrubs in your garden by planting dwarf hydrangeas, which don’t need as much pruning to stay compact.
The majority of dwarf hydrangeas reach heights of 3 to 5 feet (90 to 150 cm), making them ideal for landscapes with limited space.
One of my favorite types of little hydrangeas is the little lime kind (Hydrangea paniculata).
They are 3 to 5 feet tall and feature lovely light green blossoms that eventually become light pink.
The well-known Bigleaf hydrangea has a lesser variety called Paraplu (Hydrangea macrophylla).
Little Honey is a diminutive deciduous hydrangea with white blooms and vivid yellow foliage that becomes red just before the leaves drop off. It can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm).
Depending on the soil’s acidity, Mini Penny (Hydrangea macrophylla) bears lovely pink or blue flowers.
Regular deadheading will stimulate a second set of blooms in the fall. It reaches 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm) tall.
What hydrangea grows the smallest?
The only dwarf ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea in existence, Invincibelle Wee White smooth is the first and only one of its kind. The smallest smooth hydrangea currently on the market! This is a little hydrangea, growing to be only one to two inches tall and broad. We have discovered that it is an exceedingly versatile option because of its modest size. Consider growing it in a container or as a low hedge. You won’t be disappointed by its bright white blossoms or dark green foliage.
Invincibelle Mini Mauvette Smooth Hydrangea
The smooth hydrangea Invincibelle Mini Mauvette may appear little, but it is formidable! This little hydrangea maintains its immaculate appearance all season because to its sturdy branches, a profusion of blooms, and lovely mauve-pink hue. You can stow it away in any location in your yard because to its diminutive size.
Is the hydrangea Tiny Tuff Stuff resistant to deer?
Whether hydrangeas are resistant to deer is a subject we are frequently asked. In actuality, NO vegetation are resistant to deer. Deer will consume almost any plant if they are sufficiently hungry. Deer do, however, favor some plants more than others. The majority of hydrangeas are “sometimes badly injured,” according to Rutgers University. This means that although deer prefer other plants, they will eat hydrangeas if they are really hungry. They advised including additional protection or repellant, particularly in the winter.
Whether or whether you should be concerned about deer eating your plants will depend on a number of environmental factors. Cities are developing and there are more deer, which increases the pressure on deer to find food. This is made worse in the winter when food is harder to come by. Deer are mainly attracted to plants that have exposed branches poking out in the winter. Consequently, deer damage is more likely to affect hydrangeas that bloom on old wood since it could destroy the flowers the following year.
My mountain hydrangea should I deadhead it?
To keep your hydrangeas looking their best and promote the development of new flowers, deadhead regularly during the blooming season.
But in mid- to late-fall, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs, leaving any spent blooms in situ. This not only adds beauty to the winter landscape but also guarantees that the buds that will bloom the following spring are not removed.
What distinguishes lacecap from mophead hydrangea?
Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as Hydrangea macrophylla, are the most popular variety of hydrangea. French hydrangea, garden hydrangea, and florist’s hydrangea are some more frequent names for this plant. Most likely, the hydrangeas at your neighborhood florist are bigleaf varieties.
Bigleaf hydrangeas come in three different varieties:
- Due to their huge, puffy bloom heads, mophead hydrangeas are the most recognizable and well-liked hydrangeas. They flourish in hardiness zone 6, and their blossoms can be purple, blue, or pink. Mophead hydrangea flower buds may not endure the winter since they are susceptible to the cold.
- With their flowers being the main distinction, lacecap and mophead hydrangeas are nearly identical to one another. They have little, fruitful flower buds in the middle, and the showy flowers surround the flower head’s margin. The main function of these gorgeous, sterile flowers is to entice bees and butterflies to the fertile buds in the middle. They flourish in hardiness zone 6, just like mophead hydrangeas do.
- The least frequent variety of bigleaf hydrangeas are mountain hydrangeas. Its scientific name is Hydrangea serrata, and while its flattened heads resemble those of lacecap hydrangeas, its flowers and leaves are much smaller. Mountain hydrangeas are a fantastic alternative for locations with late winter cold snaps because they have hardier buds and do well in hardiness zone 5.
True to its name, the bigleaf hydrangea’s trait that sets it apart from other hydrangea varieties is the size of its leaves. The leaves of bigleaf hydrangeas can get up to 4-6 long and 3-5 broad. The leaves have short stalks, are heart-shaped, thick, and lustrous.
Bigleaf hydrangeas like some shade, but not too much, as this can lead to fewer flowers. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, and their blooming seasons are in June and July. Given that bigleaf hydrangeas are drought-sensitive, it is crucial to consistently water them.
By adjusting the soil’s acidity, you can vary the color of your hydrangeas. Blue flowers can be grown on acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or below. Pink flowers will grow on neutral or alkali soils with a pH of 6.5 or higher. Purple flowers or a hybrid of blue and pink flowers will grow in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Which hydrangea grows best in shade?
Shade-Friendliest Hydrangeas
- Big leaf mophead hydrangeas are Hydrangea macrophylla.
- Hydrangea macrophylla normalis, also called lacecap hydrangeas.
- Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. Serrata, sometimes known as mountain hydrangeas.
- Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, a climbing shrub.