Latest news with #Hydrangea
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers are racing to snap up bargain £5 hydrangeas from high street chain & they come in ‘all colours'
Plus, how to care for your hydrangeas FLOWER POWER Shoppers are racing to snap up bargain £5 hydrangeas from high street chain & they come in 'all colours' IF you want to add a splash of colour to your garden, you may wish to pop to B&M. One savvy shopper spotted how the bargain chain has been selling hydrangeas for £5 each. 5 B&M is selling £5 hydrangeas that could brighten up your garden Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ 5 There are numerous colours available, including a blue variety Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ Bargain hunter Liv, who posts under @livloves, uploaded a video from her local store and their vast collection of options. She wrote: 'Run to B&M for £5 hydrangeas in all colours.' From pretty blue options to bright pink and purple flowers, the store has a vast array of choices for your outdoor space. They also have white ones if you prefer a more neutral outdoor space. While they are just small sizes now, one gardening fan advised how they will grow 'massive' if you stick them in the ground. Alternatively you can put them in a large pot if you want them to expand. One shopper said their hydrangeas had tripled in size in just a month, so if you look after them properly you could end up with a beautiful display. Liv's video has racked up nearly 3,000 likes, and people seemed quick to want to snap up the hydrangeas for themselves. One said: 'I love hydrangea! Just require so much watering.' A second added: 'I know where I'm going tomorrow.' I'm a gardener, how to cut hydrangeas properly and the best time to do it this month, for full blooms next summer Meanwhile, a third joked: 'You won't catch me running anywhere but for a £5 hydrangea I would do a light jog.' Hydrangeas typically bloom from late spring to early autumn, depending on the climate and conditions. Typically any colour changes occur because of aluminum availability in the soil, with pink or red flowers thriving in neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of over 7.0, while blue ones prefer an acidic soil of under 6 pH. Hydrangeas are perennials, which means they come back year after year with the right care. They can live for decades, in the right conditions, meaning they could be a good long-term investment for your garden. 5 You can also pick up the plant in hot pink Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ 5 Alternatively they have a purple version available too Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ How to prune a Hydrangea The easiest way is to cut the dead bloom off the plant. Snip as far down as the next new buds on the stem, if these are visible or to wherever looks appropriate. For a more established plants you can cut old stems back to the base to encourage new growth. Use clean, sharp garden shears or scissors to ensure a clean cut and no damage to your plant. 5 If cared for correctly, hydrangeas will bloom year after year Credit: Getty New stems will not bloom until the following year. What happens if you don't cut back Hydrangeas? Hydrangeas can become congested if they are not pruned. They do not bloom as well if the stem is woody or dead. When you prune back your hydrangea you help it grow stronger for future buds. It also will look much nicer with all the browning flowers removed.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Shoppers are racing to snap up bargain £5 hydrangeas from high street chain & they come in ‘all colours'
IF you want to add a splash of colour to your garden, you may wish to pop to B&M. One savvy shopper spotted how the bargain chain has been selling Advertisement 5 B&M is selling £5 hydrangeas that could brighten up your garden Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ 5 There are numerous colours available, including a blue variety Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ Bargain hunter Liv, who posts under She wrote: 'Run to B&M for £5 hydrangeas in all colours.' From pretty blue options to bright pink and purple flowers, the store has a vast array of choices for your outdoor space. They also have white ones if you prefer a more neutral outdoor space. Advertisement More on gardening While they are just small sizes now, one gardening fan advised how they will grow 'massive' if you stick them in the ground. Alternatively you can put them in a large pot if you want them to expand. One shopper said their hydrangeas had tripled in size in just a month, so if you look after them properly you could end up with a beautiful display. Liv's video has racked up nearly 3,000 likes, and people seemed quick to want to snap up the hydrangeas for themselves. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous One said: 'I love hydrangea! Just require so much watering.' A second added: 'I know where I'm going tomorrow.' I'm a gardener, how to cut hydrangeas properly and the best time to do it this month, for full blooms next summer Meanwhile, a third joked: 'You won't catch me running anywhere but for a £5 hydrangea I would do a light jog.' Hydrangeas typically bloom from late spring to early autumn, depending on the climate and conditions. Advertisement Typically any colour changes occur because of aluminum availability in the soil, with pink or red flowers thriving in neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of over 7.0, while blue ones prefer an acidic soil of under 6 pH. Hydrangeas are perennials, which means they come back year after year with the right care. They can live for decades, in the right conditions, meaning they could be a good long-term investment for your garden. 5 You can also pick up the plant in hot pink Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ Advertisement 5 Alternatively they have a purple version available too Credit: tiktok/@livloves/ How to prune a Hydrangea The easiest way is to cut the dead bloom off the plant. Snip as far down as the next new buds on the stem, if these are visible or to wherever looks appropriate. For a more established plants you can cut old stems back to the base to encourage new growth. Advertisement Use clean, sharp garden shears or scissors to ensure a clean cut and no damage to your plant. 5 If cared for correctly, hydrangeas will bloom year after year Credit: Getty New stems will not bloom until the following year. What happens if you don't cut back Hydrangeas? Hydrangeas can become congested if they are not pruned. Advertisement They do not bloom as well if the stem is woody or dead. When you prune back your hydrangea you help it grow stronger for future buds. It also will look much nicer with all the browning flowers removed. 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
After a spectacular 2024, are hydrangeas set for another strong comeback this year?
To understand why there's such a difference from year to year in just how prolific the hydrangea blooms will be, you need to understand a little bit about the habit of these quintessential New England plants. There are three main varieties of hydrangea that most people have in their yards. Macrophylla, which are the large leaf mop heads, mostly blue or pink plants. Then there's the Annabelle and the paniculata. These last two bloom on what is called 'new wood' or this year's growth. This is why for those particular categories of plants, you can prune them hard in late winter and early spring and still get plenty of flowers. The density of your blooms on those types of plants is going to be more related to the spring and summer weather, as well as whether you have adequate soil nutrients to produce flowers. Advertisement But it's different for the mop head variety. Although there have been new varieties developed over the years that bloom on new wood, the best blooms in this group occur on last year's growth. This means that the flower buds form in the late summer and early fall of the previous year and sit out all winter long exposed to the elements. Macrophylla hydrangea, or the mophead variety like nikko blue, are showing early budding this time of year. Dave Epstein In a cold, particularly dry and windy winter, those bloom buds can get desiccated and will not flower. The plant itself is not dead, and you'll often see new growth sprouting from the ground, which will form flower buds for the next year, but you'll miss the existing year. This is what happened in 2023. Because the winter of 2023-24 was so mild, nearly all of the bloom buds survived, and thus we had an Because of the drought last fall and the first part of the winter, there's likely some damage to the flower buds. Additionally, those plants that are marginally hardy probably will not bloom this year because of the average cold we saw in January and February. Advertisement Blue hydrangeas in Lexington last summer. Joanne Rathe Strohmeyer/Globe Staff I have one plant that bloomed last summer that had not bloomed for over a decade, and it looks like it's not going to bloom this year. The bottom line is that I think it's going to be a very good year for hydrangeas, likely not as good as last year, but for some plants, it's going to be pretty close, so get ready to enjoy another round of a local favorite in the garden. A Hydrangea blossom in a Quincy front yard. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff You can see the leftover flowers from 2024 just as early buds have popped up in mid-May. You can cut the spent flowers, but be careful not to cut viable buds. Dave Epstein Paniculata hydrangea that were pruned in late winter are now showing new growth, which will flower in late summer. Dave Epstein Have a gardening question for Dave? Send them to weather@ and we will include them in an upcoming column from Dave.
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Which new plants will we see at the Chelsea Flower Show?
One of Chelsea Flower Show's most anticipated highlights is the array of new plant introductions. And for 2025, the plants certainly don't disappoint. Whether you're after bold colour, unusual forms or something to refresh your planting scheme, this year's crop of new varieties offers plenty to get excited about. None of the plants have been seen at Chelsea before. Here are some of the latest launches that could find a perfect home in your garden. 1. Hydrangea paniculata 'Garden lights Little light' Hydrangea paniculata 'Garden lights Little light' (Alamy/PA) Launching at the show is the Hydrangea 'Little Light', being exhibited by Burncoose Nurseries. Little Light is a compact, deciduous shrub with lime-green, cone-shaped flower heads that mature to soft pink in late summer. Reaching just over one metre tall, it's ideal for small gardens, borders or containers. Plant it in spring or autumn in well-drained, fertile soil with full sun to partial shade. It thrives in cooler climates and benefits from regular watering, especially in dry spells — perfect for classic Northern hemisphere weather. Low-maintenance and striking, it brings bold colour and structure to any outdoor space. 2. Clematis 'Baroness Fookes' The clematis 'Baroness Fookes' is a striking climber with large, rich purple flowers and contrasting creamy stamens, blooming from early summer to early autumn. Already on the market, the bloom is ideal for trellises, fences or containers, and it grows best in well-drained soil with its roots in shade and top growth in sun. If you're interested in bringing this bloom into your garden, experts suggest you prune lightly in late winter or early spring, and mulch annually to keep roots cool and moist. This clematis is a vibrant choice for adding height and colour to your garden. 3. Cosmos bipinnatus 'Fondant Fancy' Sounding as delicious as it looks, the 'Fondant Fancy' is a charming annual with soft pink, semi-double blooms and feathery green foliage, bringing a light, romantic feel to borders or cutting gardens. Best sown indoors in spring or directly outside after the last frost, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. This variety is easy to grow, pollinator-friendly and perfect for adding a whimsical touch to summer displays. The 'Fondant Fancy' is launching at the Chelsea Flower Show and will be available to buy then. 4. Hemerocallis 'See You Tomorrow' Hemerocallis 'See You Tomorrow' Daylily (Alamy/PA) The 'See You Tomorrow' is a striking daylily with large, blooms that come in deep purple and yellow variations, and a contrasting lime-green throat, flowering repeatedly through summer. Best planted in spring or autumn, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. This hardy perennial is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and ideal for borders or mixed beds. There will be 2,000 at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, and 5,000 come autumn. It's a reliable choice for a cheerful touch in the garden. 5. Hosta 'Party Streamers' Hosta 'Party Streamers' are a unique variety with narrow, rippled, lime-green leaves creating a fountain-like effect. The plant is ideal for shady borders, woodland gardens or containers and is best planted in spring or early autumn — preferring moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. Already available for purchase, the Party Streamers' compact form and striking foliage offer season-long interest, while its lavender-purple summer flowers add a delicate touch to your a garden. 6. Heuchera 'Eternal Flame' Heuchera 'Eternal Flame' (Alamy/PA) Heuchera 'Eternal Flame' is an evergreen perennial with vibrant foliage that shifts from fiery orange to deep red through the seasons. Its delicate, airy pink-white flowers appear in summer, adding extra charm. It's best planted in spring or early autumn and thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it perfect for borders, containers or underplanting shrubs. Easy to care for, 'Eternal Flame' needs regular watering in dry periods and occasional mulching. Remove faded leaves to keep it tidy and divide clumps every few years to refresh growth. The plant will be available at the show with more coming in autumn this year. 7. Philadelphus x 'Petite Perfume Pink' The 'Petite Perfume Pink' is a compact shrub with delicate pink, fragrant blooms that appear in late spring to early summer. It thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil and prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot. It will be available at the show, after launching last summer. To care for it, ensure regular watering during dry spells, prune after flowering to maintain shape and mulch annually to keep the roots cool and moist. It's perfect for adding a sweet fragrance to your garden. 8. Geum 'FireStarter' ('Stocrgeu') The Geum 'FireStarter' is an eye-catching perennial featuring fiery red-orange flowers with a frilled edge, blooming from late spring to early summer. It works well in borders, containers or as ground cover, and suits gardens big and small. If you opt for a FireStarter, be sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, and cut back foliage in late autumn to promote healthy growth the following season. The FireStarter is available from spring 2025 and is ideal for adding colour and texture to your outdoor space. 9. Rhaphiolepis indica 'White Cloud' Rhaphiolepis indica 'White Cloud' (Alamy/PA) Better known as the Indian Hawthorn, the 'White Cloud' is an evergreen shrub with clusters of delicate white flowers, appearing in spring, followed by small purple-black berries. Having launched this April, the 'White Cloud is best planted in spring or autumn, and thrives in sunny or partially shaded environments. It's perfect for adding a bit of elegance to gardens with minimal upkeep. 10. Hydrangea paniculata 'Groundbreaker Blush' The Hydrangea 'Groundbreaker Blush' is a deciduous shrub with cone-shaped clusters of pink-to-white flowers that bloom in summer. It features rich green foliage and provides a striking contrast as the flowers age. This hydrangea is perfect for borders or containers. To care for it, water regularly and prune in early spring to maintain shape and encourage vigorous blooms. The Groundbreaker Blush will be available from autumn 2025. It's low-maintenance and adds a lovely pop of colour to any garden.
Borneo Post
26-04-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
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!
