hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla
Mophead hydrangea
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: moist, well-drained soil
- Flowering period: June to October
- Height: 1-2m
- Foliage: deciduous
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The mophead and lacecap hydrangeas, commonly known as Hydrangea macrophylla, are excellent, deciduous shrubs and have a long flowering season from June to October. They are available in a wide range of colours.
The plants perform best when grown in partial shade.
Pruning
When and how do you prune Hydrangea macrophylla ( the mophead and lacecap hydrangeas). Hydrangea macrophylla starts to develop new flower buds in late summer. If you cut back all the old stems in spring, the shrub will not produce flowers.
Nevertheless, a well-established Hydrangea macrophylla benefits from light pruning. To keep a mature Hydrangea m. vigorous, cut back around 1/3 of the oldest stems to 5-10cm above the ground in March.
Pruning old, brown flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla
Remove old flowers
What is the best time to remove old flowers of Hydrangea macrophylla. Leave the old flowers heads on through the winter months. They protect the new flower buds against frost and icy winds.
Cut back the old, brown flowers to the first or second pair of healthy buds in March, when frost danger has passed.
Care
Hydrangea macrophylla likes moist, well-drained soil. Don’t let the plant dry out, especially during the summer season. Water thoroughly, if conditions are dry.
Plant combination
Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas will look good with a range of partners such as Hydrangea paniculata, Japanese anemone, Verbena bonariensis, Vinca minor.
Anemone hybrida ‘Serenade’
Photos Greenfingersonline/Modeste Herwig
