Hydrangea tree is an extremely gorgeous plant that makes incredible additions in many places. When growing them, you have to know about hydrangea tree caring tips so that they will flourish beautifully and healthily. This is exactly why I want to put together the hydrangea tree caring tips & other guides for you today. Let’s take a look at all the essential tips below, and let me know if you have any questions.
1. Hydrangea Tree Caring Tips
1.1. Fertilizer
The good thing about hydrangea trees is that fertilization is very easy and simple. At the same time, these trees also don’t require any specific type of fertilizer to grow. You can go for an all-purpose fertilizer with either a 12-4-8 or 10-10-10 composition, and that will do. The important thing that you should know is that hydrangea trees need fertilizer the most during their growing seasons. However, these trees will only need fertilization just twice a year in spring; and that’s it.
Besides the all-purpose fertilizer, you can also use slow-release chemical fertilizer for your hydrangea trees. With this type of fertilizer, you will only need to apply it once a year which is also very convenient. In case you don’t prefer this, a less expensive fast-release compound can also do the job for you. Hydrangea trees are not picky, so fertilization is very easy and simple.
Note: If you notice scorched looking leaves on your hydrangea tree, it is a sign of too much fertilizing. The best time to use fast-release fertilizer are in March, May, and July, and do not fertilizer them after August.
1.2. Light
When it comes to hydrangea tree care, light has to be among the key factors you should consider. Hydrangea trees grow best in full sun to partial shade areas, and they require more lights than the shrub ones. As trees, the beautiful and colorful blooms that they display are the results of the amount of sunlight that they receive. If you plant them in areas where there is too much shade, then you won’t see a lot of bloom. However, too much direct sunlight can shorten the blooming time of your hydrangea trees.
The best amount of light that the trees should receive is between 4 to 6 hours a day. So make sure to pick the right location where sunlight is plenty but not too much for your hydrangea trees. Then get ready to watch them bloom; their flowers are absolutely magnificent.
1.3. Potting
Even as trees, you can also grow them in pots. If this is the case, then go for a container that is at least 10 to 12 inches in diameter. This is to ensure that it can support the growth and root of the trees well without tipping over. Make sure to use high-quality potting soil, and leave them outdoor to receive sunlight during the growing season. Don’t forget to choose the pots with a drainage hole so that excess water can flow out.
1.4. Pruning
This type of tree is deciduous, so they will lose their leaves in winter then become dormant. This is the best time for you to prune or trim them since you will not disrupt their new bloom and growth. It is true that it is not necessary to prune hydrangea trees, but doing so can maintain their shape. At the same time, it also encourages new growth when the growing season in spring comes. Proper pruning leads to more buds with bigger blooms in the next season, and I know you want that.
1.5. Soil
Soil is one of the essential factors in hydrangea tree care, and they are not so picky about it. Just give them moist, porous, and rich soil, and your hydrangea trees will be so happy. No matter if it is in the pot or yard, healthy soil is very important for them to thrive in. Also, make sure to grow them about at least 3 to 10 feet apart when you plant them outside. That way, the roots won’t compete for nutrients and they have all the rooms they need to grow.
1.6. Temperature
It is normal for outdoor plants and trees to be tougher than the ones that are indoor. Hydrangea trees come with different species, and the ones like PG hydrangea are very cold hardy. This species can survive even if the temperature goes below -30 degrees Fahrenheit. However, other species do not have this type of tolerance against extreme cold or hot temperatures.
Then you will need to protect their nascent buds and shrubs so that they can live on. Hot weather is not the problem; the real killer is the winter. This is why winterizing hydrangea trees is one of the important things to know regarding hydrangea tree care. You can protect them by covering the shrub with a wire cage or building a cage around it. Insulate the cage before the ground freezes, and that will save them from the cold winter days.
1.7. Water
Hydrangea trees love a good amount of water, but they do not like to sit in damp or moist soil. So you want to give them proper care, especially keep them away from root rot diseases. Watering hydrangea trees depend on the season and type of soil that you grow them in. When the weather is hot in summer, you might want to water them a little more often. And when cold winter days come, frequent watering is not necessary.
The key is to make sure that the soil is well-drained so that there is no damp soil or stagnant water. Hydrangea trees like their soil to be consistently moist but not over flooding with water. Too much water can kill them, but if the area is sunny and water dries fast, then it will also be okay.
As for new trees, you should water them 3 times a week to ensure healthy and sufficient root growth. Then you may water them around 1 inch per week during their growing season, which is in spring. After then, deep watering your hydrangea trees once a week will do. In case the summer days are hot, you can water them a few times per week if the soil is dry.
2. Beautiful Hydrangea Tree Varieties
For those who are new to hydrangea trees, I have a few beautiful varieties that you should consider. Each of them is beautiful and gorgeous in its way, and the decision is all yours.
2.1. Limelight Hydrangea Tree
This is probably one of the most common hydrangea trees that you will come across. A limelight hydrangea tree has a round shape with deep dark green foliage. This variety has large green blossoms of around 10 inches big, and it will change colors through fall. When fall comes, the blooms will transition to cream, white, and pink, which is absolutely pretty. More than that, they are also drought-tolerant and hardy, which is perfect to have in the yard.
2.2. PeeGee Hydrangea Tree
As for this one, it is a large upright and deciduous shrub or small hydrangea tree variety. It has conical flower panicles that can grow up to 18 inches long, packed almost entirely with sterile florets. Along with that, it has these creamy florets that will become pink-tinged when fall approaches. The bloom begins from mid-summer to fall, and the look that it gives is incredibly gorgeous and graceful. Plus, with the dark green leaves that make the blooms stand out, this variety is simply amazing to have.
2.3. Pinky Winky Hydrangea Tree
Pinky winky hydrangea trees, or panicle hydrangea, is a rapid-growing species with an upright and vigorous look. It has a deciduous shrub, and it grows up to 8 to 15 feet tall. This variety has an oval to ovate dark green leaves along with sharp and upright conical. At the same time, the large white panicles of the plant open in mid to late summer. As fall approaches, the base of the panicles turns pink while the flower panicles continue to grow. This will result in new white florets at the tip which looks absolutely beautiful.
2.4. Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea Tree
Such an adorable name for a stunning variety, vanilla strawberry or strawberry vanilla hydrangea trees are one of a kind. This species is famous for the summer color that it has and keeps changing throughout the season. With it, you won’t have to worry about boring trees with one solid color all year long at all. The blooms are white with pink centers at first before they morph to pink after that. Because the colors don’t change right away completely, then you will see the combination of both, hence the name strawberry vanilla.
Final Thoughts
Hydrangea tree caring tips are very essential because keeping these trees beautiful and healthy is essential. The good thing is that there are many tips available that you can find and search for. I include the basic and useful hydrangea tree care tips above, and I sure hope that they are helpful. These trees are extraordinary, so growing them at home is definitely a good idea.