Hydrangeas are prominent flowering plants known for their large, colorful blossoms and ability to thrive in different climatic conditions.
Though this flowering shrub doesn’t require high-maintenance, neglecting to provide minimal care can ruin hydrangeas growth.
Apart from adding vibrant colored blossoms, hydrangeas have multiple uses in your garden like attracting pollinators, used as hedge and can start container gardening.
Despite being easy to grow, successful hydrangeas require more than just planting and watering.
Hydrangeas plant care mistakes are common among beginners, but with minimal care you can efficiently avoid common pitfalls and allow your hydrangeas to thrive.
In this write-up, I listed 11 common hydrangeas growing mistakes you should avoid.
11 Hydrangea Growing Mistakes to Avoid
Before jumping to plant care mistakes, it is essential to learn essential growing requirements of the plant.
Hydrangeas prefer well-drained soil with pH ranging between 5.2 to 5.5.
Light is important for plant food production; hydrangeas needs 6 hours of sunlight. But, the flowering shrub should be protected from intense afternoon sun. Most hydrangeas types prefer morning sunlight and afternoon shade.
Use well-balanced fertilizer during growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing the plant as it can burn roots. Organic fertilizer in the growing medium will be enough to supply essential nutrients for the plant growth.
1. Planting Too Close
One of the most frequent mistakes gardeners make is planting hydrangeas too close to other plants or structures. Hydrangeas need room to spread out and grow. When planted too close, they compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight, leading to stunted growth and fewer blooms.
How to Prevent It: Be mindful of the mature size of your hydrangea variety before planting. Leave enough space between plants—usually 3 to 5 feet apart—to allow them to grow to their full potential. Check the plant label for specific spacing recommendations.
2. Planting Under a Tree
While it may seem like a good idea to plant hydrangeas under a tree for extra shade, this can cause problems. Trees often have extensive root systems that compete with hydrangeas for water and nutrients. Additionally, falling debris like leaves and branches can smother your hydrangea plants.
How to Prevent It: Choose a location where your hydrangeas have access to dappled shade, but avoid planting them directly under large trees. If shade is necessary, opt for areas near fences or buildings that provide indirect light without competition from tree roots.
3. Skipping the Spring or Fall Clean-up
Neglecting seasonal clean-up can lead to several problems for your hydrangeas. Old, decaying leaves and dead flowers can harbor pests and diseases that can stunt growth and reduce the number of blooms.
How to Prevent It: Perform a clean-up in both spring and fall. In spring, remove any dead branches or stems, and in fall, clear away old leaves and flowers. This routine maintenance will promote better airflow and reduce the risk of disease.
4. Planting in Poor Draining Soil
Hydrangeas hate standing water, and poor-draining soil can lead to root rot, which is fatal for the plant. Heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage can trap excess water around the roots, causing them to suffocate.
How to Prevent It: Choose well-draining soil for your hydrangeas. If your garden has poor drainage, amend the soil with organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve water flow. Alternatively, consider planting in raised beds or containers where you can control the soil composition more effectively.
5. Not Watering Enough
Hydrangeas are thirsty plants, especially during the hot summer months. Inadequate watering can result in drooping leaves, fewer blooms, and overall poor health. Hydrangeas need consistently moist soil, but not soggy.
How to Prevent It: Keep the soil around your hydrangeas evenly moist. Water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and reduce evaporation.
6. Using an Overhead Sprinkler
Watering hydrangeas from above with an overhead sprinkler can cause issues such as mildew or fungal diseases. Wet foliage invites disease, especially if the leaves don’t dry quickly.
How to Prevent It: Water hydrangeas at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the leaves. A soaker hose or drip irrigation system is ideal for delivering water directly to the roots, where it’s needed most, without wetting the foliage.
7. Planting in a Container With No Drainage
If you’re growing hydrangeas in containers, drainage is crucial. Containers without drainage holes trap water at the roots, leading to waterlogged soil and root rot.
How to Prevent It: Always plant hydrangeas in containers with drainage holes. If your container doesn’t have holes, consider drilling some yourself or placing the plant in a smaller pot with drainage inside the larger container. Also, use a well-draining potting mix formulated for container gardening.
8. Using Too Much Fertilizer
Over-fertilizing hydrangeas can lead to lush, green leaves but few flowers. Too much nitrogen encourages leaf growth at the expense of blooms.
How to Prevent It: Use a balanced fertilizer designed for flowering shrubs, and apply it sparingly. A slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring should be sufficient for the season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that may cause the plant to focus on foliage rather than flowers.
9. Trying to Change the Color
Many gardeners attempt to change the color of their hydrangea blooms by altering soil pH. While it’s true that pH affects color in some varieties, like bigleaf hydrangeas, forcing a change can stress the plant if not done properly.
How to Prevent It: If you want to alter the bloom color, do so gradually by adjusting the soil pH slowly over time. For blue flowers, the soil needs to be more acidic (pH 5.5 or lower), while for pink flowers, aim for more alkaline soil (pH 6.5 or higher). Use soil amendments like garden sulfur for acidic soil or lime for alkaline soil, but be patient—it can take a season or more to see results.
10. Too Much Sun
While hydrangeas appreciate sunlight, too much direct sun—especially during the hottest part of the day—can lead to scorched leaves, wilting, and poor flower production. Full sun exposure all day can stress the plant and cause damage.
How to Prevent It: Plant hydrangeas in locations where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. If your garden gets too much sun, consider planting hydrangeas in a spot with dappled light or partial shade.
11. Too Much Shade
On the flip side, hydrangeas planted in too much shade may struggle to bloom. While they can tolerate shade, hydrangeas need some sunlight to produce those iconic large flower heads.
How to Prevent It: Make sure your hydrangeas get at least a few hours of sunlight each day. Morning sun and afternoon shade work well for most varieties. If they’re not blooming, consider moving them to a slightly sunnier spot in your garden to encourage more robust flowering.
Also Read: 27 Best Fall Flowering Plants to Beautify Autumn Garden
How to Care Hydrangea Plant?
Hydrangea care involves understanding plant needs for water, light, soil, and occasional maintenance.
When you provide the right care, hydrangeas will reward you with abundant and vibrant blooms year after year.
Watering: Hydrangeas are thirsty plants and need a consistent supply of water, especially during hot or dry weather.
It’s important to water deeply, making sure the roots are fully saturated. Shallow watering can lead to weak root systems and poor plant health.
Water hydrangeas in the morning to allow any moisture on the leaves to dry before nightfall, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Light: Hydrangeas thrive in partial sunlight. Ideally, they should get morning sun followed by afternoon shade, especially in regions with intense summer heat.
Too much sun can cause the leaves to wilt and scorch, leading to poor blooms. If your hydrangeas are planted in full shade, they may not produce as many flowers.
Finding the right balance of light is crucial for both healthy foliage and abundant blooming.
Soil: The health of hydrangeas is closely linked to soil quality. Hydrangeas prefer rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture but doesn’t stay soggy.
If your soil is heavy clay or poorly drained, it can lead to root rot. You can improve drainage by incorporating organic matter such as compost or leaf mold into the soil before planting.
Hydrangeas are also sensitive to the pH level of the soil. The pH can even affect the color of the blooms in some species, like bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla).
Acidic soils (pH below 6) tend to produce blue flowers, while more alkaline soils (pH above 6) result in pink flowers.
If you want to control the bloom color, adjusting the soil’s pH can help, though it may take time to see results.
Fertilizing: Hydrangeas benefit from a slow-release, balanced fertilizer applied in early spring, just as new growth starts.
Avoid heavy fertilization as this can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Organic compost applied around the base of the plant also works well as a natural fertilizer, helping to improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients.
Too much nitrogen, however, can lead to fewer blooms and encourage diseases, so moderation is key.
Also Read: How to Use Baking Soda for Hydrangeas?
Pruning: Proper pruning is essential for keeping hydrangeas in good shape and promoting flowering. The type of hydrangea you’re growing will determine when and how to prune.
For those that bloom on old wood, such as bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas, pruning should be done immediately after the flowers fade in the summer.
New wood bloomers, like panicle and smooth hydrangeas, should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Be cautious not to prune too heavily, as this can reduce the number of flowers.
Mulching and Winter Protection: Applying mulch around the base of the plant, especially in colder regions, can help protect the roots from freezing during the winter.
A layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, insulates the soil and helps retain moisture throughout the growing season.
In particularly cold areas, covering the plant with burlap or other protective material can shield it from harsh winter winds and extreme temperatures.
Pest and Disease Management: Hydrangeas are generally resistant to most pests, but they can occasionally be affected by aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew.
Regularly inspect your plants for signs of infestation, such as discolored or curled leaves. Most pests can be managed with insecticidal soap or neem oil, and good air circulation around the plant helps prevent mildew and other fungal diseases.
Keeping the plant healthy through proper watering, fertilization, and pruning will help ward off most common problems.
Deadheading: Removing spent blooms (deadheading) encourages hydrangeas to produce more flowers. Deadheading also keeps the plant looking tidy and redirects its energy toward new growth.
For varieties that bloom on old wood, be sure to avoid cutting off any buds that may have formed for next year’s flowers.
With thoughtful care and attention to these basic needs, hydrangeas will thrive in your garden, providing beautiful blooms and lush foliage. Whether you’re growing them for their stunning flower heads or as an ornamental addition to your landscape, hydrangeas are sure to bring beauty and joy to any garden.
Check this: Is Epsom Salt Good for Hydrangeas?
Conclusion
Hydrangeas are beautiful, versatile plants, but growing them successfully requires attention to detail.
Avoiding common mistakes like improper planting, watering, and fertilizing will help ensure your hydrangeas thrive.
By providing the right amount of sunlight, water, and care, you can enjoy a stunning display of blooms season after season.
With a little planning and effort, your hydrangeas will reward you with vibrant flowers that brighten up your garden and bring beauty to your landscape year after year.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting