Marvelous Mophead Hydrangeas
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| Photo Credit: Lane Greer |
| Pink-flowering hydrangeas bloom in soils with higher pH levels. |
While Southerners may not be able to enjoy wondrous lilacs, they do grow the best hydrangeas! In fact, the shaggy flowers of mophead hydrangeas (pronounced hī dran' ja) are a must-have plant for many gardeners.
There are two kinds of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): mopheads (sometimes called hortensias) and lacecaps, which have a much flatter flower. Mopheads sport huge blooms that stretch up to 12 inches across. These marvelous shrubs are hardy in zones 6 through 9, and they grow especially well in coastal and mild climates. These old-fashioned favorites look wonderful in shade. Plant them under deciduous trees or on the north side of a house or building about 5 feet apart for bursts of color. Some selections grow up to 8 feet tall. But if you’ve got a smaller space you’d like to add these beauties to, try one of the many compact forms great for patio pots or other containers. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Lane Greer | | One of the most popular hydrangea colors right now is purple. |
The No. 1 question about mophead hydrangeas is not which one to choose (there are so many greats), but it’s how to change their color. Bloom color depends on soil pH level, as well as the availability of aluminum in the soil. Acidic soils (those with low pH) with sufficient aluminum produce blue flowers. Alkaline soils (with a high pH, such as on limestone) create pink flowers. Some hydrangeas are “red” (actually a very dark pink), and planting these in acidic soils causes them to turn purple. Green hydrangeas “bloom” in late summer and fall, as they are actually older flowers. They often have tints of purple, blue or red on their petal (technically these are sepal) margins and you may hear people call them “antiques.”
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| Facts |
- The large flowers of mophead hydrangeas are made up of numerous sterile flowers. The showy parts of the flowers are actually sepals, which are often referred to as bracts or petals.
- Why do some hydrangeas bloom more than others? Some produce only terminal flowers (flowers at the very top of each stem). If these buds are injured by a late spring frost, the plant won’t bloom that year. Other hydrangeas have numerous lateral flowers (flowers produced along the stem), so even if the terminal flower is killed, the plant has other flowers.
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| Tips |
- Bigleaf hydrangeas are often forced in greenhouses and then sold as potted plants. These plants can be slowly introduced to an outdoor garden. After the last frost has occurred, just place the potted hydrangea outside in a shady spot. Keep them in their pots for about a week, making sure to water adequately. After they are “hardened off,” remove them from their pot and plant into good garden soil. If plants are hardy in your area, they’ll continue to grow and bloom for years to come.
- What can you do to get more flowers on your hydrangea? Make sure it has enough water during the summer months, which helps produce flower buds. Don’t overfertilize with nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth rather than flower growth. Consider moving the plant to get more or less shade, and be sure to prune out old wood that’s not productive any more.
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| Definitions |
- Sepal: These plant parts enclose the petals and are usually green. They are noticeable in roses. Some flowers, such as hydrangeas, have modified sepals that look like petals.
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