Fertilizing Hydrangeas Simplified
Mastering Hydrangea Fertilization: Achieve Stunning Blossoms Annually
Gardening novices often struggle with hydrangeas, wondering if they need fertilizer or which type is best for these beloved shrubs. Don't fret! Learning the basics of feeding your hydrangeas will have your plants blooming in no time.
Hydrangeas aren't heavy feeders, but they do require nutrients to thrive. Neglecting to fertilize may lead to anemic-looking plants with sparse blooms.
Alternatively, if you shower your hydrangeas with excessive fertilizer, you might face the opposite problem: luxuriant foliage with fewer blossoms. In other words, finding the right balance is crucial.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Hydrangeas?
Contrary to having a special fertilizer formula, a balanced garden fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio is usually sufficient for hydrangeas. If those aren't available, 12-4-8 or even rose bush fertilizer will work just fine.
In search of a more eco-friendly option? Opt for organic fertilizers! These are available in nurseries and big-box stores, or try a homemade liquid fertilizer if you're crafty.
For those looking for fast results, conventional factory-made fertilizers are your best bet. However, keep in mind that they do not enrich the soil like organic ones do. To ensure long-lasting vigor in your hydrangeas, choose organic fertilizers whenever possible.
How Do You Fertilize Different Types of Hydrangeas?
The rules for fertilizing hydrangeas generally apply to all varieties. The only notable exception is if you're trying to change the color of their flowers. Only bigleaf (or mophead) hydrangeas and mountain hydrangeas alter their flower color due to soil amendments.
Changing Hydrangea Flower Color
Hydrangeas are famous for their varying colors – the bigleaf (or mophead) and mountain hydrangeas in particular. Their blooms shift between pink or blue, depending on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.
Aluminum is what causes blue flowers, and it's usually present in sufficient amounts in most soils. However, if the soil is too alkaline, the hydrangeas can't absorb aluminum efficiently. To force pink flowers, add lime to increase the soil pH; for blue flowers, add sulfur to lower it.
When and How Should You Fertilize Hydrangeas?
Use a slow-release fertilizer when initially planting hydrangeas and each spring thereafter. This is the most crucial time to fertilize, as the plants are putting out new growth and developing flowers.
Choose a fertilizer with a nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium ratio of roughly 10:10:10. Apply it at the drip line around each plant (the area where the branches reach the ground), cover with a little soil, and water thoroughly. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can scorch the leaves.
Don’t fertilize after August; this is when hydrangeas prepare for winter dormancy. Additional fertilizer at this time would encourage tender new growth that isn't suited to cold temperatures. The timing of fertilizer applications is crucial for promoting robust hydrangea growth while minimizing the risk of damage during winter.
Hydrangeas can thrive in a home-and-garden setting, making them a popular choice among gardeners. To maintain the vibrant blooms of these plants, it's essential to find the right balance when choosing a fertilizer. While a balanced garden fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio is usually sufficient, organic fertilizers are an eco-friendly alternative, especially for those looking for long-lasting vigor.
