Garden Guide: This is why hydrangeas are blooming so well this year
Hydrangeas are one of the most beloved flowers of summertime and this year we're seeing a lot more than usual.
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Hydrangeas are one of the most beloved flowers of summertime and this year we're seeing a lot more than usual. We're talking specifically about mophead hydrangeas (hydrangea macrophylla) which are the classic and most colorful hydrangeas we can grow.
There are 4 common types of hydrangeas:
1. Mophead Hydrangeas – Best in mild climates and bloom June through August. These plants typically set next year's flower buds in dormant buds in late autumn and only bloom once in June or July, but newer varieties will also set flower buds on new growth, which is why you'll see new flowers sporadically through the summer.
2. Panicle hydrangeas – These are the easiest hydrangeas out there and have the puffiest flowers! They are not affected by our winter weather, so the show is always nice. The flowers start off as white and will fade to red throughout the summer.
3. Oakleaf hydrangeas – These beautiful plants have smaller bloom heads, but much larger leaves. They are native to North America and do incredibly well in a shade garden. Because they are native, they are incredibly adaptable to our environment and are a great nectar source for pollinators because they bloom later in the season than most of our native flowers.
4. Climbing hydrangeas – These hydrangeas cling onto walls and vine upward. Unlike most flowering vines, these hydrangeas prefer shade.
Why is this year so good for mophead hydrangeas?
These hydrangeas set their flower buds on old stem growth, so winter weather plays a huge role in summer blooms. This winter was much milder than usual. The coldest night of the year was in the mid- to-upper teens in most of our region, which is more typical for South Carolina than for our region! Typically, our coldest night of the year is around 0-10 degrees.
Winter and spring were also much wetter than usual with significant rain every few days into spring. Hydrangeas love water, especially when they are just sprouting. Too much rain in the summer can damage the blooming flower heads, but the lack of severe weather this summer means pristine blooms!
When is the best time to prune these shrubs?
Since mophead hydrangeas set next year's flower buds on dormant buds in autumn, it's best to prune older shrubs in late summer after the biggest blooms is over, but about 2 months before the first freeze.
You can also prune off flower heads throughout the blooming season. You can make an incredible bouquet!
