Alpharetta, GA on May 06, 2012

My giant hydrangea bush is popping!!!

I received some wonderful advice at Hometalk to NOT cut back the hydrangea. I followed the advice and I did NOT and it is HUGE and bursting with blooms this year. THANK YOU HOMETALKERS!!!

Gorgeous! Can't wait until they all turn color.

Made a flower arrangement with some of the cuts I got today.

47 Comments Displaying 25 of 47 comments | See Previous

Ginny R

put a rusty nail nail in the ground next to the bush I have heard what the old timers do to their bushes to make them turn blue

on May 08, 2012 · Like 2
Ana M Alpharetta, GA

Douglas, it get sun in the afternoon, It is staring to do lateral branches, maybe this year will be the year, when in the year do they bloom?

on May 08, 2012 · Like 0
Ana M Alpharetta, GA

Gynarchy B. I was never a gardener before so this is what happened, the hydrangea has been in my garden for 11 years, I had always ignored it and it gave me beautiful gorgeous blooms and was huge and beautiful. The one year I decided to be a "gardener' I trimmed it way back and it did not give me many blooms that year. So this year, I asked here at Hometalk and was told not to trim it and it is gorgeous again!!!! I do NOTHING at all to it, I do not fertilize it, I do not put anything on it ...»
but water and old coffee grounds I save up after making coffee.

on May 08, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

Good to know that - Thanks. They are beautiful. Mine are huge, standing straight on supportive stems, this year and I did cut them last year. I just bought 3 Mop Heads last year and they are doing very well in another location. They look very much like these on your fence. I hope I can get them to do this.

on May 08, 2012 · Like 0
Gynarchy B Centerville, GA

Hi Ana M. Thanks so much. I hope mine will do the same.

on May 08, 2012 · Like 0
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

Ana, sorry I am just now reading your comments about your climbing hydrangea. This plant is known for taking its time to bloom. It may be years before it flowers, thankfully the foliage and bark are attractive.
It's worth the wait. Happy gardening.

on May 09, 2012 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Ana, they bloom in the spring. If this was going to be the year, you would know by now. (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but they really are worth the wait!)

on May 09, 2012 · Like 0
Ann S Albany, GA

add aluminum sulfate

on May 09, 2012 · Like 0
Ann S Albany, GA

to make the hydrangeas turn blue add aluminum sulfate to the soil

on May 09, 2012 · Like 1
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

I wonder why I am listed as living in Blair, WV???

on May 10, 2012 · Like 0
Dianne Millington, TN

I just visited a neighbor that has one bush that has all colors on it for it first time.(plant is about 30 yrs old)..it has dark blue, light blue, purple pink & even a Burgundy bloom (never have seen this color)...It is beautiful. Didn't have my camera but will try to get picture of it tomorrow & post.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Dianne Millington, TN

Nancy, where DO you live?

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

Birmingham, Alabama. I just fixed my location. Thank you for asking Dianne.

on May 14, 2012 · Like 1
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

Just after the Dogwoods bloom, I always have these in 3 or 4 areas of my 1/2 acre back yard. PHILIDELPHUS.
on May 14, 2012 · Like 0
Erica Glasener Atlanta, GA

Philadelphus or Mock Orange, a great old fashion plant that is tough and reliable.

on May 14, 2012 · Like 2
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

And wonderfully fragrant!

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

Thanks all. I have them encircling the garden I made for my daughter. They are not as tall because they get less sun but they are so lovely. I planted one down by the front street beside and slightly under my big oak tree last year. I hope I can keep it low and spreading wide. Might have to plant more for that affect. For now I will hold all my hopes with one as I do not like digging up roots. Two Dogwood trees are on the other side of the tree.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Ginny G Gaston, SC

I didn't know that hydrangea's were so tempermental. After reading all these posts, I'm on the fence about planting them. I hope mine come back, but I was hoping for blooms the first year. Kind of disappointing to find out they may take years to get any flowers.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Dianne Millington, TN

Ginny G...mine are not temperamental...I stuck some limbs in the ground after cutting off of a big bush two months sago & they are blooming...total shade...will try to get photo, looks funny just one stalk, a few leaves & a bloom...but still beautiful

on May 15, 2012 · Like 2
Ana M Alpharetta, GA

Ginny G mine aren't either apparently the less I do the better!

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Coralie McMahon Portville, NY

I wish I had followed this advice last fall......took forever for my hydrangea to come back this summer and when it did, no blooms :( Just greens. So, I am not touching it this year! We'll see what next summer brings. Should I Miracid it before winter?

on Sep 17, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

@ Coralie: Hydrangeas are preparing for dormancy now, so you should not fertilize, which would encourage growth that could be damaged by colder temperatures. It's a good rule not to fertilize hydrangeas after August. And, while hydrangeas do like slightly acid soil, there is no need to use a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants, which is what Miracid is. Use a good slow-release fertilizer.

on Sep 18, 2012 · Like 0
Ana M Alpharetta, GA

Thanks Douglas!

on Sep 26, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy T Redmond, WA

Is that a climbing hydrangea?

on Sep 28, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

No, Nancy. Climbing hydrangea has a white bloom and different flower shape. If you look at the last photos you can see this shrub from the front and side.

on Sep 28, 2012 · Like 0

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