What Your Hydrangeas Really Need in June – Expert Tips For Healthy Plants And Long Lasting Blooms
Discover exactly what your hydrangea needs this month
Having emerged from its winter dormancy; often existing as little more than a bunch of weather beaten stems, hydrangeas have now dramatically burst back into life and are sporting a host of vibrant, crinkled leaves and promising buds.
Thriving in US Hardiness zones 3 to 9, there are a wide range of varieties and flower types to choose from.
Knowing how to grow hydrangeas and discovering exactly what your plant needs in June can prove make or break, not just for a glorious floral summer display but also for successive seasons. Here's a guide to what they need this month.
Banish Deep Shade And Let The Sunlight In
With garden trees and shrubs now in full leaf, June is the ideal time to check that your hydrangeas are getting the dose of sunshine they need. One of the best flowering shrubs, most hydrangeas are happy in partial shade, but too much dense shade for long periods can reduce the number of blooms produced.
'Ideal light conditions for hydrangeas are several hours of direct morning sun with afternoon shade, or dappled shade that allows plenty of bright indirect light,' says gardening expert Janet Loughrey.
If surrounding foliage is starving a hydrangea of sunlight, consider thinning out some branches to open up the canopy. Cut back branches of up to 1 inch diameter with pair of Bypass pruning shears, such as these from Amazon.
For overhead branches that are just out of reach, use a telescopic pole pruner from Amazon, but be sure to don safety glasses, available from Walmart and long, thick gloves, also from Walmart first.
Of course, if your hydrangea is container grown, you can simply move it to sunnier position.
Janet also suggests that, 'Oakleaf hydrangeas (H. quercifolia) are more shade-tolerant than other types.' You can find oakleaf hydrangeas at Fast Growing Trees.
Janet Loughrey has been a full-time garden photographer and writer for 25 years. She lives and gardens in Portland, Oregon. Previously, Janet gardened in the Adirondack region of upstate New York where she grew up. Experiencing different climates has given Janet a greater appreciation of the gardening challenges they present. In her own personal garden, Janet tends to an eclectic mix of roses, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. Her most recent passion is growing annual flowers in containers from seed.
Watch Out For Scorched Blooms
While deep shade can reduce the number of hydrangea blooms, placing these plants in strong, direct sunlight can also present problems. Regular exposure to the sun this month, can scorch the delicate petals, turning them prematurely brown, whilst also stressing the plant long term.
Keep a close eye on the position of your plant and if you notice petals or leaves beginning to crisp up and brown, take action.
If your hydrangea is pot grown, you can simply relocate it to a shadier spot. A position that receives gentle morning sun and then dappled shade during the afternoon, is ideal. A pot caddy with sturdy castors can prove handy for moving larger, heavier pots. This Bosmere 14 inch caddy, from Lowe's, can support up to 500lbs.
For mature, in-ground plants, providing partial shade is one option. Growing citrus trees in pots and placing them alongside a hydrangea to cast shade and diffuse the sun is an effective option.
Other candidates include fig and olive trees. Another solution is temporarily erect a decorative screen, before carefully relocating the plant during the fall or early spring.
If you are looking to choose a hydrangea to grow in a sunny spot, opt for panicle or smooth types as these can handle 5 to 6hrs of strong sun. Find these live plants including Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers' at Nature Hills.
Provide Shelter In Exposed Spots
With their large, blowsy blooms, hydrangeas are real showstoppers, but they can suffer in exposed, breezy sites. From June to August, plants in full bloom are especially vulnerable as strong winds can easily catch hold of the generous and densely petalled flowerheads, breaking stems and damaging future buds.
'Wind exposure is often overlooked. Bigleaf, Hydrangea macrophylla, and smooth hydrangeas have large flower heads that act like sails in strong wind, ' says plant expert Justin Farrell. 'Plant them where they get some shelter from prevailing winds, near a fence, wall, or taller evergreen screen.'
While this issue can be easily solved with container grown hydrangeas, established in-ground plants pose more of a challenge. Erecting a garden structure such as an trellis or fretwork panel on the exposed side of the plant, will help disperse any wind.
Staking the plant's main stems can also help. Choose strong timber or metal stakes and sink them firmly into the ground beside each stem, before tying them on with soft, flexi ties, such as these from Walmart. We also found a handy tree steel stake kit at Walmart.
Justin leads Nature Hills Nursery's leadership team as EOS Integrator, driving operational excellence and strategic execution across America's largest online plant retailer. Overseeing cross-functional operations spanning digital marketing, e-commerce technology, inventory management, and B2B partnerships, his focus is on accountability, process optimization, and building a cohesive leadership team that delivers exceptional customer experiences in the online nursery industry.
Continue To Water Hydrangeas Deeply
June is a key period of growth for Hydrangeas, so whether they are planted in the ground or a pot, regular watering is key.
'When natural rainfall is less than 1 inch a week, it's time to think about providing supplemental irrigation, especially for newly planted trees and shrubs, and other long-lived plants such as perennials,' says Richard Hawke, Director of Ornamental Plant Research at Chicago Botanic Garden. 'Investing time and resources on the needs of these plants now will provide future dividends on your landscape investments.'
Effective watering is crucial to strong plant growth, with experts recommending treating established plants to the occasional drenching rather than a daily shower.
'The golden rule for most plants is to water root zones deeply but infrequently,' continues Richard. 'Too little water provided too often can result in shallow root systems that leave plants less able to tolerate drought.'
Soaker hose and drip irrigation systems are favored by horticultural professionals, and can be simply retrofitted. Widely available they include the 25ft Expert Soaker Garden Hose from Walmart.
Richard Hawke is the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he oversees the plant evaluation, plant breeding, and plant introduction programs. He has managed the plant evaluation program since 1986
By following these monthly tips you can keep your hydrangea thriving. Why not add to your plant collection by getting to know the best hydrangea varieties and learning about landscaping with hydrangeas.
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