Sustainable Environment
Sustainable Environment
We support alternatives to single use plastics
Consumption & Conservation
Consumption & Conservation
We harvest rainwater from our on-site reservoirs
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Reduced Carbon Footprint
With 80% of bedding plants grown onsite
Composting & Recycling
Composting & Recycling
We recycle over 90% of our on-site waste

Showstopping Hydrangeas

Showstopping Hydrangeas

If you haven’t yet grown a hydrangea, it’s time to give this showstopper a try!

Hydrangeas offer big beautiful leaves and large clusters of long lasting, spectacular flowers in white, pink, red and blue from mid to late summer. With their wonderful texture and blooms, hydrangeas are lush, attractive and easy to care for, generally they are garden showstoppers.

Hydrangea macrophylla (big-leaf hydrangea) are undoubtedly the most popular. The big-leaf hydrangea is the familiar “mop-headed” blue, pink or white species that is frequently seen. Its enormous flower clusters look like pom-poms and remain attractive even after blooming, because the flower clusters – being composed of sepals and not petals – do not fall but remain on the plant until early winter. They often change to lovely shades of red, pink and green, and can easily be cut and dried for indoor use. A special category of big-leaf hydrangea is the lacecap – their flat heads feature a central area of tiny fertile flowers surrounded by a “lace” of large, flat, showy sterile ones.

An interesting aspect of hydrangeas is the soil pH often determines flower colour. Blue flowers are produced in acid soil and pink in alkaline soils. For example, a pink hydrangea planted in acid soil would change to blue and visa versa. However, some hydrangeas, such as the white flowering types, often retail their flower colour regardless of the soil pH. A colourant would help you fight mother nature, such as Vitax Hydrangea Colourant, but regular application is necessary.

Caring for your hydrangea is very easy. They do best in moist, well-drained soil and will need to be kept well watered during hot spells in summer. Fertilise with a balanced fertiliser (an ericaceous feed would be suitable for blue hydrangeas) or amend soil to change flower colour if desired. Watch out for chlorosis, yellow/very pale leaves caused by iron deficiency, we recommend applying Vitax Epsom Salts if needed. Take cuttings to start new plants in summer months. In October, cut all stems that have bloomed to 6 or 8 inches to control growth and promote more flowers.

We have 100’s of large hydrangeas in bud that we have grown on-site available in-store and online, we have listed just a few of our current favourites below. Hydrangeas are hardy, reliable and can be an outstanding addition to any garden. 

 

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Large rounded clusters of cream flowers. Ultimate height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m.

 

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Amor Blue’

Clusters of vibrant blue flowers from mid to late summer. Ultimate height and spread 1m x 1m.

 

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Early Sensation’

Red stems with beautiful white flowers at the start turning into burgundy red. Ultimate height and spread 1-1.5m x 1-1.5m.

 

Hydrangea ‘French Bolero Pink’

Profuse soft pink flowers in early summer – not only at the stem tips like other hydrangeas, but also from every single side bud. Ultimate height and spread 1.6-1.8m x 1m.

 

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’

Creamy-white flowers becoming pink-tinged with age, beautiful in summer and autumn. Ultimate height and spread 2.5m x 2.5m.

 

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Ruby Annabelle’

Rounded clusters of two toned reddish-pink flowers from July to September. Ultimate height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.

 

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’

Lime green flowers, which fade to cream and then blush-pink as the season progresses. Ultimate height and spread 1.2m x 1.2m.

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