Get fluffier and perkier hydrangeas by doing one easy task this month
Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers, but they need lots of hydration to thrive in the summer. To help them bloom beautifully during the warmer months, gardeners should follow this one simple task.
Because there is typically much less rain in August, the pretty flowers can dry out quickly. Hydrangeas have sensitive roots that require a lot of moisture to stay healthy.
Even if you water hydrangeas regularly, they can begin to wilt, produce smaller flowers, or even stop growing completely. According to Skye Hamilton, a gardener known as the Hydrangea Queen and the founder of Hamilton House Designs, there is a quick and easy way to protect hydrangeas from the heat and keep them hydrated.
She said: 'Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important.'
According to the Express, mulching is when gardeners cover a plant in material to protect it from the weather. In summer, it is usually done to keep more moisture in the soil.
A layer of mulch slows down evaporation and also helps insulate the roots around a plant, keeping it cool no matter how hot it gets.
This will help hydrangeas stay perky and flower no matter how intense the heat is. It will also block weeds from growing around hydrangeas, saving you time on extra gardening work.
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How to mulch hydrangeas in August
It is better to use a natural mulch that is known to help lock water into the soil, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch.
These mulches will keep hydrangeas watered and also break down slowly to help feed the plant to give it more energy.
Spread a thin layer (roughly two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, but do not spread too much or cause it to pile up.
Hydrangeas need a lot of moisture in August, but too much will cause stagnant water in the soil, which can encourage pests and diseases.
Water the hydrangea deeply after applying the mulch. It should thrive and keep growing big, fluffy flowers throughout August rather than struggle to survive like it normally would.
Incorrect watering timing could be detrimental to hydrangeas, causing the flowers to wilt and droop.
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