If you are looking for a beautiful plant that grows luxuriantly and brings a touch of colour to your garden,  the hydrangea will not disappoint you  : its bushes, in spring, bloom in a riot of wonderful hues that perfume the atmosphere. It is the ideal choice if you have enough space, but some varieties also lend themselves to being planted in pots to brighten up your balcony. In addition, hydrangeas do not require much attention and  are easy to grow  , adapting well to the Mediterranean climate. Let’s see how to grow them, both in the garden and in pots.

Hint

• Hydrangea, the characteristics of the plant
• How to Plant Hydrangeas
  • Potted
  • In the garden
• How to Grow Hydrangeas

Hydrangea, the characteristics of the plant

Hydrangea (scientifically called  Hydrangea  ) is a floral plant belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family: unbeatable in terms of ornamental species , it is characterized by large, very showy flowers , which can be of many  different colors  . Native to Asia and South America, it spread in the 18th century in England and then slowly in the rest of Europe,  thanks to its adaptability  even to the coldest temperatures.

There are  several varieties  of this plant: one of the most common is  the Hydrangea macrophylla  , which gives life to beautiful bushes full of colorful flowers. Its main characteristic is the ability to produce different flowers depending on the  type of soil  in which it is planted. If they are acidic, they will actually be bluish; on the contrary, on a basic or alkaline soil, the flowers that come out will have a very pretty pink or purple color.

Other varieties (including some climbing ones) are smaller and are better suited to  growing in pots  . This is the case of  Hydrangea panicula  , the only species that produces white flowers: its small tree can reach up to 5 meters in height, but does not take up much space in width. However, all hydrangeas are easy to grow and do not require special attention. Their ideal habitat is cool and mild, so they should be placed  away from direct sunlight  , especially in summer or in the warmest areas. It also survives winter well, withstanding even the harshest temperatures.

How to Plant Hydrangeas

If you have decided to dedicate yourself to  growing hydrangeas  , there are a few steps to follow to guarantee a lush plant that produces beautiful flowers. First of all, choose carefully the time to plant: if you start from seed, the best time is spring, around  April  . On the other hand, if you have bought a seedling already grown and you only have to plant it, do it during the month of May or wait until autumn, between October and November.

When preparing the soil, remember that hydrangeas prefer a  moist and humus-rich base  , to be combined with natural fertilizers such as acid peat or manure. As we have seen, exposure is important: this plant grows best if placed in a well-ventilated area and protected from direct sunlight, except in winter. During the cold season, you can  also move the pot inside  your home, but leaving it next to a window where it can receive sunlight. If the plant is in the garden, remember to mulch the soil to protect it from the coldest temperatures.

Potted

Now let’s see how to plant a hydrangea in a pot. First, choose a container that is large enough, depending on the variety you have decided to sow. It is important that the pot has holes  in the bottom  , to allow the soil to drain water more efficiently. Fill it with soil (preferably suitable for hydrangeas) and use  fertilizer  to provide it with all the nutrients your seedling will need.

At this point, make a small hole in the ground and insert the  seeds  : you can also use one of the techniques to  speed up the germination process  , and only later transfer the germinated seed into the ground. If, on the other hand, you have purchased an already grown seedling, check that its roots are moist, you can immerse them in warm water for half an hour before transplanting them. Then dig a  fairly deep hole  and place the plant in it, then tamp the soil with your hands. Whichever method you choose to plant hydrangeas, remember to water immediately afterwards.

In the garden

To plant a hydrangea in the garden, the same indications that we have already seen apply. When preparing the soil, pay particular attention to  fertilization  : since in this case you will not have the specific soil for hydrangeas, you will have to add a fertilizer that can guarantee the plant all the nutrition it needs to grow. Dig the soil deeply to make it softer, then dig a small hole and insert the seeds or seedling that you have previously purchased. Compact the soil with your hands and  water immediately  : the hydrangea needs water to grow, and particularly fears drought.

How to Grow Hydrangeas

Once you have planted your hydrangeas, the most is done: few precautions are now necessary for the seedlings to grow as well as possible. Let’s start with  watering  , the most delicate part of any cultivation. Since hydrangeas fear arid soils, you must ensure that the soil in which they live is always sufficiently moist, while avoiding dangerous water stagnations that could cause the roots to rot. The best way to understand if the plant needs water is to touch the soil with your fingers and  feel if it is still moist  or if it is drying out.

It is best to water abundantly during the  budding period  , while it can be reduced when the plant has already flowered. Water the soil early in the morning or in the evening after sunset, using water at room temperature. You can recycle rainwater, in order to also avoid problems deriving from a possible excessive presence of limestone. It is then necessary  to prune the hydrangea annually  , starting from the third year of life: in autumn, after the flowering period, it will be necessary to remove the dry branches and faded flowers, to ensure that they do not steal food, water and light from the vital parts of the hydrangea plant.

Finally, remember to  fertilize  the plant periodically – especially in spring, at the beginning of flowering – and check that it is not infested with  parasites  . In the latter case, you can try some natural remedies to defeat  ants  , scale insects, aphids and red mites, the most common “enemies” of hydrangeas.