Latest news with #Hydrangea
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Garden Q&A: Why have my hydrangeas turned from blue to pink?
Question Why aren't my hydrangeas blue any more? I bought them in flower when they were a lovely blue colour, but now they are a dirty pink. Answer I love your expression 'dirty pink' and I understand what you are describing. The reason for this is all down to soil chemistry. The vivid blue colour in Hydrangea macrophylla relies on aluminium being available to the plant, which only happens in acidic soils with a pH below about seven. If your soil is more alkaline, the aluminium gets locked up and the flowers shift to pink. It can also happen over time if you add lime or your soil naturally becomes more alkaline. To restore blue tones, try feeding with aluminium sulphate and mulching with ericaceous compost. Using rainwater, which is often more acidic than tap water in many areas, can also be beneficial. In very limey ground, you're often better growing your hydrangea in a pot of ericaceous compost where you can control the pH more easily. Got a gardening question for Peter Dowdall? Email gardenquestions@
The Irish Sun
25-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Major garden retailer slashes cost of gorgeous blue hydrangeas that ‘bloom 30 flowers in first season' from £40 to £20
A HUGE garden retailer has slashed the price of stunning blue hydrangeas by half. 2 These gorgeous hydrangeas have been slashed in price Credit: Gardening Express 2 The huge flowers can bloom until October Credit: Gardening Express Their vibrant colours and large size mean they instantly elevate any garden, and the monstrous plants can grow up to 30 flower heads during their first flowering season. If you're looking to transform your garden into a haven this summer, and make your outdoor space the envy of your neighbours , And if you're a garden lover on a budget, The plants come in 10-litre pots, and are perfect for beds, borders or planters. Read more garden stories The XXXL Mophead plant has giant blue blooms, which can grow to the size of footballs when fully grown. The flowers will last for the entire summer, before fading to a purple colour during autumn. If your garden soil is heavy in alkaline, the blooms turn from blue to pink , and can even turn a lavender colours, depending on the soil's PH. Each winter, you should cut the plant near ground level, and watch new stems pop up in the new year. Most read in Fabulous Gardening Express said: "Wow! These plants are monsters, and can be expected to throw out up to 30 strong flower heads during their first flowering season in your garden. "A wonderful Hydrangea variety with huge flowers, often found in high class florist bouquets, it has really massive blooms." I'm a gardening pro – my simple tip will revive 'dead' hydrangeas in seconds How to get hydrangeas to bloom until October A TikTok flower expert has revealed her By doing these things, it will help stop the One sister from the popular TikTok duo, Miller Flowers, shared the advice online which attracted a number of comments, likes and shares from garden enthusiasts. The first tip is around watering, as "hydrangeas are plants that love water". The 5 best flowers to help bees to thrive Nature experts at Faith In Nature have shared the 5 best flowers Brits can plant in their gardens to help bees thrive. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and keen gardener explains why "bees are brilliant". "They are vital. They pollinate our food and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. But climate change, the increasing use of pesticides and loss of habitat means bees are endangered. No matter how big your garden or outside space is, you can plant a flower or two to help bees." Lavender Lavender can thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It's fragrant and flowers all-summer-long meaning it's a big hit with bees - especially bumble bees. Sunflowers This cheery flower giant are bee-magnets. And if you look closely at a sunflower head, the big 'flowers' are actually a cluster of small flowers, called an inflorescence which attract pollinators. Ideally, grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for as many bees as possible. At the end of summer, collect the dried seeds from the sunflower heads to feed the birds or plant next year. Heather These abundant, bell-shaped blooms are brimming with nectar and pollen – which is good news for bees. Cornflowers A vivid blue wildflower, cornflowers are often planted alongside other meadow blooms, like ox-eye daisies and poppies. They grow on tall stems and are packed with nectar, making them particularly attractive to bees. Cornflowers bloom for a long time and are simple to grow, so they're perfect for first-time gardeners and experienced alike. Crocuses (and snowdrops) Later this summer, when you're starting to plan for your Spring displays, consider crocuses and snowdrops. They provide bees, such as the queen buff-tailed bumblebee and male hairy-footed flower bees, with vital early pollen as they emerge from their winter hibernation. It is recommended to water them three times a week, for ten minutes. Where the hydrangeas are positioned in the garden is also a valuable component to consider for their optimal flowering. Hydrangeas need both sun and shade. A little It can encourage more blooms, and help them deal with heat. However, it is not always necessary, also depending on the soil used, and time of the year.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
7 Best plants for a living fence: Natural privacy hedges that beautify your garden
Looking for the best plants for a living fence that gives you privacy without the cost of a traditional fence? A living fence is a smart, eco-friendly way to create natural boundaries, block nosy neighbours, and enhance your garden's beauty, all at once. Whether you need fast-growing privacy hedges, low-maintenance greenery, or flowering shrubs that attract birds and pollinators, there's a perfect plant for your outdoor space. Discover the top plant options that combine function and beauty to create a lush, sustainable privacy screen in your outdoor space. How to create a living fence: 7 plants that offer privacy, beauty, and wildlife support to your garden Limelight Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight') Source: Wikipedia Hydrangeas, especially the Limelight variety, are a striking choice for a living fence. Their large lime-green blooms appear in mid to late summer, transforming to pink and ruby tones in fall. Even after flowering ends, the dried blooms provide winter interest. Limelights are hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and grow well in full sun to part shade. They can reach heights of 7 feet, offering privacy and visual appeal across three seasons. Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (Miscanthus sinensis) Source: Wikipedia If you're seeking a non-traditional, modern look, ornamental grasses like Miscanthus 'Morning Light' are a graceful alternative to conventional shrubs. This grass grows 5-6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide, with fine, variegated foliage that glows beautifully in sunlight. It thrives in full sun to part shade and is hardy in zones 5-9. When planted in staggered groups, it creates a soft, natural fence with a coastal feel. Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Source: Wikipedia Arrowwood Viburnum is a native shrub that excels as a living fence due to its versatility and ecological value. It features white spring flowers followed by dark berries that attract birds. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types, this plant is ideal for zones 2-8 and reaches 8 to 10 feet in height and width. It's low maintenance and thrives in full to part sun. Arrowwood Viburnum also supports biodiversity by serving as a host plant for pollinators. Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) Source: Wikipedia For a more secure and vibrant option, consider Virginia Rose. This thorny, spreading shrub is native to North America and grows 4 to 6 feet tall. Blooming with lovely pink flowers from June to August, it also produces red rose hips in late summer, which can be used to make teas and jams. The plant is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. It does best in full sun to part sun and in moist to dry soil, and it requires minimal care once established. English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) Source: Wikipedia A traditional favorite, English Laurel is a fast-growing evergreen shrub ideal for those seeking dense coverage. Its broad, glossy leaves create a lush green screen, and its fragrant white spring flowers add seasonal interest. English Laurel grows well in zones 5-9 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It can be easily shaped through pruning and benefits from regular watering during establishment. Be cautious, however, as its berries are toxic to humans and pets. Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus) Source: Wikipedia Podocarpus, also known as Buddhist Pine or Japanese Yew, is a low-maintenance evergreen ideal for larger landscapes. It features dense, needle-like foliage and can be trimmed into hedges or allowed to grow naturally. Suitable for zones 7-11, Podocarpus thrives in slightly acidic, well-drained soil with a mix of sun and shade. It is drought- and salt-tolerant, making it a good option for coastal areas. European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) Source: Wikipedia European Hornbeam is a deciduous tree often used in formal or informal hedging. Though it loses its leaves, many remain attached through winter, providing year-round screening. The tree features textured green leaves that turn golden in autumn, along with spring catkins and papery seeds in fall. It grows up to 60 feet tall but can be pruned to the desired height. Hardy in a range of climates, hornbeam thrives in full sun to partial shade. Creating a living fence is more than just planting shrubs or trees; it's about enhancing your property with natural beauty and ecological function. Whether you prefer structured evergreens or free-form flowering hedges, there is a living fence solution that can suit your needs. With the right plant choices, your fence can offer privacy, boost biodiversity, and provide year-round interest. Also Read: 9 decor pieces that make your room look cluttered and how to fix this
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
‘Massive' pastel blue Hydrangea that ‘blooms 30 flowers in first season' is now half-price
Add a dazzling dash of colour to your garden with this 'massive' powder blue hydrangea plant that's currently on offer for half its normal price thanks to this gardening deal Hydrangeas are beautiful plants that sprout up everywhere in the summer season. They earn pride of place in gardens thanks to their large size and vibrant colours, which transform any outside space into a floral display. A monster of a plant, as they can be expected to throw out up to 30 strong flower heads during their first flowering season in your garden. A wonderful Hydrangea variety with huge flowers, often found in high-class florist bouquets, it has really massive blooms that elevate any garden, border or patio. And right now, green-thumbed shoppers can get their hands on a delicate and stunning pastel blue specimen for half its normal price, as it plummets all the way down to £19.99 in this Gardening Express sale. Hydrangeas offer masses of healthy growth each year and quickly establish, producing massive, bright flower clusters even when planted in a dull, shady spot. This makes them a great choice for sprucing up any area, whether you'd like to brighten a boring border or create a vibrant and eye-catching centrepiece in your backyard. This large-flowered mop-head variety has huge powder blue blooms, up to the size of a football when fully established. These blooms literally cover the plant all summer before fading to an attractive purple-burgundy shade during the autumn season. On heavily alkaline soils, the blooms will turn from Blue to pink and can even be pale lavender mauve somewhere between the two, depending on the soil pH. These are larger plants and great value for a specimen of such size and age. For best results season after season, it's recommended that you cut this plant near ground level over winter each year so you can watch it throw up masses of strong new stems and big blooms each summer. These plants are very strong and ready to grow away with vigour, no matter where you plant them. The special Hydrangeas are guaranteed chunky, healthy plants that will flower well all summer and into early Autumn, so you can enjoy the array of colour in your outdoor area for nearly half of the year. Looking beautiful in summer, these are supplied as fully-established XXXL plants in approx 10 litre containers that are ready to simply be planted and left alone. Sit back and relax and watch as these huge plants transform flower beds, borders or patio planters with their generous size, high yield of flowers and bold colours. If you'd prefer to shop elsewhere at full price, Gardener's Dream is offering this Hydrangea 'Blue Ballad' for £26.23, or Thompson & Morgan has this Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blue Danube' from £29.99, as does Dobies for the same price.
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
‘Massive' blue Hydrangea that ‘blooms 30 flowers in first season' is now 50% off
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more 'Massive' blue Hydrangea that 'blooms 30 flowers in first season' is now 50% off (Image: Getty) Hydrangeas are beautiful plants that sprout up everywhere in the summer season. They earn pride of place in gardens thanks to their large size and vibrant colours, which transform any outside space into a floral display. A monster of a plant, as they can be expected to throw out up to 30 strong flower heads during their first flowering season in your garden. A wonderful Hydrangea variety with huge flowers, often found in high-class florist bouquets, it has really massive blooms that elevate any garden, border or patio. And right now, green-thumbed shoppers can get their hands on a delicate and stunning pastel blue specimen for half its normal price, as it plummets all the way down to £19.99 in this Gardening Express sale. READ MORE: Large apple tree that will produce fruit in its first season plummets from £35 to £15 READ MORE: 'Beautiful' water feature that's 'so very charming and realistic' falls from £176 to £66 This Powder Blue Hydrangea was £39.99 but is now £19.99 (Image: Gardening Express) Hydrangeas offer masses of healthy growth each year and quickly establish, producing massive, bright flower clusters even when planted in a dull, shady spot. This makes them a great choice for sprucing up any area, whether you'd like to brighten a boring border or create a vibrant and eye-catching centrepiece in your backyard. This large-flowered mop-head variety has huge powder blue blooms, up to the size of a football when fully established. These blooms literally cover the plant all summer before fading to an attractive purple-burgundy shade during the autumn season. On heavily alkaline soils, the blooms will turn from Blue to pink and can even be pale lavender mauve somewhere between the two, depending on the soil pH. These are larger plants and great value for a specimen of such size and age. For best results season after season, it's recommended that you cut this plant near ground level over winter each year so you can watch it throw up masses of strong new stems and big blooms each summer. These plants are very strong and ready to grow away with vigour, no matter where you plant them. The special Hydrangeas are guaranteed chunky, healthy plants that will flower well all summer and into early Autumn, so you can enjoy the array of colour in your outdoor area for nearly half of the year. Looking beautiful in summer, these are supplied as fully-established XXXL plants in approx 10 litre containers that are ready to simply be planted and left alone. Sit back and relax and watch as these huge plants transform flower beds, borders or patio planters with their generous size, high yield of flowers and bold colours. If you'd prefer to shop elsewhere at full price, Gardener's Dream is offering this Hydrangea 'Blue Ballad' for £26.23, or Thompson & Morgan has this Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blue Danube' from £29.99, as does Dobies for the same price.
