Heavenly Hydrangeas What lovelier sight is there in midsummer than lush hydrangeas with their long-lasting colossal blooms? Brilliant blue, dusty pink, crisp white or all the colors in between, no wonder this romantic gem has been a gardener’s favorite for centuries. These easy-to-care for plants bloom from early summer through fall. Cut flowers make beautiful dried floral arrangements. Once established, hydrangeas are very robust and very low-maintenance. Did you know? The name “Hydrangeas” comes from two Greek words: hydor, meaning “water” and angeon meaning “vessel” because the vase-shaped seed pods of hydrangea resemble water vessels. General Maintenance In early spring, deadhead, taking care not to damage the emerging, swollen or green buds.Remove any dead branches or, if necessary, old growth by making all cuts at the base of the plant. Some varieties, thrive after being cut back hard in fall or spring. When choosing your hydrangeas, ask our nursery staff specific care instructions. What’s all the fuss about pH? With many hydrangeas flower color is often determined by the soil pH. To encourage blue flowers, lower pH by amending the soil with sulfur or aluminum sulfate. To encourage pink flowers, raise pH by adding lime to soil. Our lawn and garden experts will be glad to help you with these amendments. Types of Hydrangeas:
	Mophead (H.macrophylla) good for cutting and drying. This beautiful shrub gets its nickname “Mophead” because of extra large blue, pink or white flowers.   Grandiflora (H.paniculata) hardy species may grow to 30 ft. Cone-shaped 8-10” white blooms. Commonly known as peegee. Blooms later than most hydrangeas.   Oak-leaf (H.quercifolia) leaves resemble red oaks. Stunning show in the fall as flowers dry slowly and leaves turn russet, gold or brown. Climbing Hydrangeas (H.anomala subsp. petiolaris) need cool, shaded roots but flower best if their stems grow into full light where the sun can ripen the wood to ensure a mass of lacecap blooms.