How to Grow Hydrangea

Choose a spot in the garden with well-drained soil that receives gentle morning sun or partial shade all day and is sheltered from strong winds.

Prior to planting, enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, which adds a rich source of organic matter to the soil and provides the plant with gentle organic nutrients as it establishes. If the soil is poorly drained clay, mix some Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker Soil Improver Granules into the soil. 

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Place the plant in the hole and backfill around the roots with soil. The final level of soil should be at the same level as the original potting mix around the plant. Water in well to settle the soil around the roots.

Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant establishes. It helps to form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. 

Applying a bark-based mulch, such Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the root zone will help keep the soil moist.

Most Hydrangeas have relatively large leaves that can lose lots of moisture, so are prone to drought stress. From spring to autumn, keep the soil consistently moist with regular watering.

During hot weather, spray foliage with Yates Waterwise DroughtShield, which forms a clear film over the leaves and helps reduce moisture loss by up to 50%.

Once plants are established, feed regularly from late winter to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers, which promotes healthy growth and lots of flowers.

The flower colour of some Hydrangeas can be influenced by soil pH (the acidity or alkalinity of the soil). Pink colour develops when the soil is alkaline (pH above 7) and blue develops in acid soil (pH 4.5–5.5). Pale purple or light blue flowers are produced when the soil is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7). Learn how to test your soil pH here.

To promote pink flowers, make the soil more alkaline by applying Yates Lime & Dolomite Soil Improver Granules or Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite. To promote blue Hydrangea flowers, make the soil more acidic by applying Yates Sulfur Soil Improver Granules or Yates Liquid Sulfur or apply Yates Hydrangea Blueing Liquid Aluminium Sulfate.

Hydrangeas with white flowers stay white.

Most Hydrangeas have their peak flush of flowers in summer. Depending on the weather and the variety, flowers last up to a month. However new varieties are being introduced with a longer flowering season. As the blooms age, they fade, may change colour and then turn brown. These brown flower heads can be quite decorative.

To pick fresh flowers for a vase, cut stems with fully coloured flowers in the cool of early morning and place them immediately in a bucket of cool water before arranging them in a vase. Re-cut the ends of the stems at a 45 degree angle, so the stems aren't sitting flat on the base of the vase and remove any leaves that will be sitting below the water. Change the water regularly to help prolong the vase life.

To keep the plant compact and bushy, and promote future flowers, prune soon after flowering has finished or in mid-winter. Only prune stems that have produced flowers. Leave the rest of the stems to provide you with flowers for next season.

Prune the stems back to just above a node (bump on the stem), where new foliage will develop in spring. Also cut back any dead stems at the base.

The exception to this winter pruning advice is for Oakleaf Hydrangeas, which produce flowers on the previous season's stems. Prune Oakleaf Hydrangeas immediately after flowering.

Compact or dwarf varieties of Hydrangeas, that grow to around 75 cm tall, are ideal for growing in pots. They also make gorgeous gifts!

Choose a well-drained pot that's at least 30 cm wide. Place the pot in a position that receives gentle morning sun or dappled sun all day and is sheltered from strong winds. 

Choose a good quality premium potting mix, like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Part-fill your chosen pot with potting mix. Remove the plant from its container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Place the root ball on the potting mix and backfill around the roots with more potting mix. The final level of mix should be the same as the level currently around the plant. Water in well to settle the potting mix around the roots.

Keep the potting mix consistently moist while the plant establishes. Applying a bark-based mulch, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, over the surface of the potting mix will help keep it moist.

Most Hydrangeas have relatively large leaves that can lose lots of moisture, so are prone to drought stress. From spring to autumn, keep the potting mix consistently moist.

During hot weather, spray foliage with Yates Waterwise DroughtShield, which forms a clear film over the leaves and helps reduce moisture loss by up to 50%.

Once plants are established, feed regularly from late winter to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers, which promotes healthy growth and lots of flowers.

The flower colour of some Hydrangeas can be influenced by potting mix pH (the acidity or alkalinity of the mix). Pink colour develops when the potting mix is alkaline (pH above 7) and blue develops in acidic potting mix (pH 4.5–5.5). Pale purple or light blue flowers are produced when the potting mix is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7). Learn how to test your soil pH here.

To promote pink flowers, make the potting mix more alkaline by applying Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite. To promote blue Hydrangea flowers, make the soil more acidic by applying Yates Liquid Sulfur or Yates Hydrangea Blueing Liquid Aluminium Sulfate.

Hydrangeas with white flowers stay white.

Most Hydrangeas have their peak flush of flowers in summer. Depending on the weather and the variety, flowers last up to a month. However new varieties are being introduced with a longer flowering season. As the blooms age, they fade, may change colour and then turn brown. These brown flower heads can be quite decorative.

To pick fresh flowers for a vase, cut stems with fully coloured flowers in the cool of early morning and place them immediately in a bucket of cool water before arranging them in a vase. Re-cut the ends of the stems at a 45 degree angle, so the stems aren't sitting flat on the base of the vase and remove any leaves that will be sitting below the water. Change the water regularly to help prolong the vase life.

To keep the plant compact and bushy, and promote future flowers, prune soon after flowering has finished or in mid-winter. Only prune stems that have produced flowers. Leave the rest of the stems to provide you with flowers for next season.

Prune the stems back to just above a pair of buds (bumps on the stem), where new foliage will develop in spring. Also cut back any dead stems at the base.

Some Hydrangeas are more sun tolerant than others. Most Hydrangeas do best in a position with gentle morning sun or dappled shade all day. Hydrangeas require protection from the hot afternoon sun. You can help protect your Hydrangeas in the heat of summer by spraying the leaves with Yates Waterwise Droughtshield.

Prune soon after flowering has finished or in mid-winter. Only prune stems that have produced flowers. Leave the rest of the stems to provide you with flowers for next season. Prune the stems back to just above the lowest node (bump on the stem), where new foliage will develop in spring.

Most Hydrangeas flower from late spring and into summer. 

Hydrangeas are commonly available during two key times – during winter when they are dormant and during summer when they are flowering. Hydrangeas planted during winter, when they are leafless, suffer less transplant shock than if they are planted when covered in leaves. However, buying a Hydrangea in summer allows you to choose your favourite flower colour while it's in full bloom.

When purchasing and planting Hydrangeas in summer, it is very important that they're kept well-watered, to help reduce transplant shock and moisture stress.

Some, but not all, Hydrangeas have the peculiar characteristic of changing their flower colour according to the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of the soil. Here's how to test your soil pH.

Pink flowers are produced in alkaline soils (pH 7 - 8.5). To raise the soil pH and promote pink Hydrangea blooms, apply Yates Lime & Dolomite Soil Improver Granules around the base of Hydrangea plants in winter and spring. Alternatively mix Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite in water and apply around the root zone. 

Blue flowers are produced in acidic soils (pH 4.5 - 5.5). To promote blue Hydrangea flowers, make the soil more acidic by applying Yates Sulfur Soil Improver Granules or Yates Liquid Sulfur or apply Yates Hydrangea Blueing Liquid Aluminium Sulfate.

Pale purple flowers are produced when the soil is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7).

Hydrangeas should be grown in dappled sun or a shaded spot that only gets gentle morning sun. Keep the soil or potting mix moist with regular and thorough watering and apply an organic mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, over the root zone to help keep it moist. You can also help protect your Hydrangeas during dry weather and in the heat of summer by spraying the leaves with Yates Waterwise Droughtshield This reduces the amount of moisture lost from the leaves.

Hydrangeas do best in cool to warm temperate climates. Some varieties will tolerate warmer locations. Check the plant tag of your chosen variety for details on the climate it prefers.

Spent flowers can be cut off as soon as they fade in late summer. Cut stems that have flowered just above a node (bump on the stem), where new foliage will develop in spring.

Many people find the browning heads of Hydrangeas quite decorative and like to leave them on the plant for as long as possible. In this case, prune these stems back during winter.

It is natural for Hydrangea flowers to brown off at the end of the season. Faster browning may occur if plants are exposed to harsh direct sunlight or are moisture stressed.

Hydrangea leaves are large and prone to wilting and sunburn. Ensure your plant is growing in a position with gentle morning sun only, or dappled sun all day. And keep the soil or potting mix consistently moist from spring to mid-autumn. 

To propagate Hydrangeas, take hardwood cuttings during winter when the plants are leafless and dormant. Click here for detailed information on how to grow plants from cuttings.

Hydrangea leaves, stems and flowers are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested. They can also cause skin and eye irritation. Keep children and pets away from Hydrangeas and monitor pet behaviour if you're growing Hydrangeas.

Yellow Hydrangea leaves can be due to cooler weather or plant stress. Hydrangeas are naturally deciduous in cool weather, so their leaves turn yellow in autumn and fall off in winter.

Yellow Hydrangea leaves can also be caused by pests such as Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites and Scale; diseases such as Powdery Mildew and Phytophthora Root Rot; and other problems such as poor soil and iron deficiency as a result of incorrect soil pH.

Iron deficiency or chlorosis can cause hydrangea leaves to yellow. Chlorosis can occur when a plant is unable to take up enough iron because the pH of the soil is too high. Check the pH of your soil. If it is above 6.5, consider lowering it with Yates Sulfur Improver Granules.

Aphids are small sap-sucking pests generally found congregated at the tips of the stems and on the underside of leaves. They can cause Hydrangea stems to wilt, new growth to curl and discolour, and are often seen in conjunction with Ants and Sooty Mould.

Mealybugs are tiny sap-sucking pests often covered in white waxy or fluffy material and are usually found at the base of stems and leaves. They are sometimes associated with Ants and Sooty Mould.

Scale insects are small and immobile sap-sucking pests that can be found on stems and leaves. Scale can be soft or hard. Soft Scale are sometimes seen with Ants and Sooty Mould. 

Sooty Mould is a black powdery fungal disease that lives off a clear sticky substance known as honeydew. Honeydew is produced by sap-sucking pests such as Aphids, Mealybugs, and soft Scale. To treat Sooty Mould, first, get rid of the pest causing this issue, and the Sooty Mould will no longer have a food source to feed from and will gradually disappear. 

To control Aphids, Mealybugs, Leafhoppers, Whiteflies, Scale, Ants, Sooty Mould, Thrips, Caterpillars, and Earwigs on Hydrangeas spray with eco pyrethrum PLUS.

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that can cause a white coating on leaves, leaf yellowing and browning, and can also stunt growth and flowering. 

To control Powdery Mildew and Rust on Hydrangea spray with Yates Rose Shield Concentrate or Yates Rose Gun. Yates Rose Shield and Yates Rose Gun will also control Aphids, Caterpillars, Thrips, Two Spotted Mite, and Whiteflies.  

To prevent Powdery Mildew, Rust and other fungal diseases of Hydrangeas, avoid overhead watering and only water in the morning so the leaves have a chance to dry off during the day. Make sure the plant is getting plenty of air flow - pruning nearby shrubs and trees can help improve this.