Planting Hydrangeas in Wisconsin: Optimal Seasons and Advice for Successful Growth
In Wisconsin, the vibrant blooms of hydrangeas can be a delightful addition to any garden. Here's a guide to help you plant, care for, and maintain these beautiful shrubs.
Planting Hydrangeas
Planting hydrangeas in Wisconsin is best done in the early spring or fall. Choose a location with full sun to part shade (6 to 8 hours of sunlight) and well-drained, rich organic soil. Dig a hole about twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, position the plant, tamp down soil, and water thoroughly to settle roots. Applying mulch helps conserve moisture.
Soil Preparation and Watering
Hydrangeas do best in moist, well-drained soil with good fertility. Regular feeding with general-purpose fertilizer during the growing season encourages healthy growth and blooms. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer application in spring provides a steady nutrient supply throughout the season.
Watering is crucial, and hydrangeas require adequate watering and good drainage. Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. Check soil moisture 2 to 3 inches deep and water about once or twice a week, increasing during hot, dry spells. Avoid overwatering, especially in heavy clay soils, to prevent root rot. Newly planted or potted hydrangeas may need daily watering for several weeks until established.
Fertilizer and Iron Deficiency
Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers, as they can reduce hydrangea blooms. On the other hand, yellow leaves with green veins in hydrangeas can be corrected with a dose of chelated iron.
Pruning
Pruning depends on hydrangea type. For "new wood" blooming varieties (e.g., panicle and smooth hydrangeas), prune annually in late winter or early spring before new growth starts to promote vigorous blooms. For "old wood" blooming varieties, prune immediately after flowers fade to allow new buds for the next season to develop on old stems.
Varieties of Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas are versatile and resilient, can handle colder temperatures, and have elongated flower clusters that transition from white to pink and even green. Oakleaf hydrangeas have deeply lobed leaves and pyramid-shaped flower clusters, and bloom in late spring to early summer.
Fall Preparation
In fall, gradually reduce watering to encourage the plants to harden off. Applying a balanced fertilizer before the first frost can help strengthen the roots. Removing winter mulch as the ground thaws allows the soil to warm up.
Glen, a gardening expert with over 15 years of experience, has recently written posts about garden fungicides, candy cane peppers, and watermelon planting.
References: [1] University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. (2015). Hydrangeas. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/hydrangeas/ [2] Purdue University Extension. (2014). Hydrangeas. https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-673-W.pdf [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. (2017). Hydrangeas. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/hydrangeas/
Incorporating hydrangeas into your home-and-garden or lifestyle can be rewarding, as these shrubs blossom beautifully in Wisconsin. To establish a hydranglea in your garden, consider planting it in the early spring or fall, selecting a home with full sun to part shade and well-drained, rich organic soil. Furthermore, maintaining your hydrangea's health involves watering it consistently and using the right fertilizer, ensuring a vibrant home-and-gardening experience.
