Charming hydrangeas in a home garden
Photo, taken during the writer's time in New Zealand, shows the hydrangea blooms.
HYDRANGEAS are among the best-loved flowering plants in gardens around the world.
This species is known for its lush, voluminous blooms and wide range of colours.
Hydrangeas also symbolise grace, beauty and heartfelt emotion.
Native to Asia and the Americas, these flowering shrubs have become popular in both traditional and modern landscapes due to their striking appearance and relatively easy care.
My own experience of growing hydrangeas, though, has given me enough headaches and smiles for a long time!
The biggest headache is our hot climate – hydrangeas do not like the tropics.
I have seen the bountiful and super-beautiful blooms in the temperate climate down in Christchurch and almost all regions in New Zealand, where they are grown easily outside the gardens and on the fences, giving all the colours that you want in the garden.
There are over 70 species in the family Hydrangeaceae. The most commonly-grown types include the Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata or 'panicled' hydrangea, and Hydrangea quercifolia.
Hydrangea can be evergreen or deciduous, and may grow as shrubs or vines.
Its most notable feature is its large, globe-like flower clusters. The blooms can vary dramatically in colours, including shades of white, pink, blue, purple and even green.
Interestingly, the colours of Hydrangea macrophylla are influenced by the soil PH level.
Acidic soils (below pH6) produce blue flowers, while alkaline soil often yields pink or red blooms.
Lime in the ground would lock up aluminium sulphate and other elements around the root sphere, and with watering that can make the blooms turn blue.
There are several other varieties that produce blooms in various shapes instead of the normal global ones; some hybridised between Hydrangea macrophylla produce 'blue wave' – making the bloom with a ring of blue floret on the outer ring, and mini-inflorescences in the centre.
Hydrangeas thrive in well-drained moist soils rich in organic matter. They prefer partial shade, but can tolerate sunlight in the cooler climates.
In Sarawak, it is better to provide sun-shade up to 60 per cent coverage, and to keep it cool.
My neighbour places the pot-planted hydrangeas along the veranda, which only receives the morning sun from the east.
The writer's neighbour places the pot-planted hydrangeas along the veranda, which only receives the morning sun from the east.
Regular watering is necessary, if the weather is not rainy.
Hydrangeas are sensitive to drought – the large foliage wilts under dry condition.
Pruning is required to maintain condition and encourage new wood to bloom.
Shortage of iron element in the medium can cause rust patches on the leaves, and this can be relieved by the addition of high iron fertilizer.
The plant would need more balanced fertiliser to ensure good growth and continual blooming, especially when it is pot-planted.
Besides landscaping and decoration, hydrangeas carry a range of meanings in various cultures.
In Western floral symbolism, hydrangeas can represent grace, beauty and abundance, though they are also associated with vanity owing to their lavish appearance.
Caution though: all parts of the plant are toxic to humans and most pets due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides.
Happy Gardening!
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