Real World Gardener Stunning Hydrangeas in Plant of the Week

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Hydrangea  macrophylla: Mophead Hydrangeas; Lacecap Hydrangeas.

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Hydrangeas have a long history and during the period when plant hunters searched the globe for fame and fortune is when the flowers we know today were brought back from China

Let’s find out what else they have to offer.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha'

The large heads of pink, blue or white flowers are very attractive as a cut flower also.

I'm talking with Jeremy Critchley from www.thegreengallery.com.au

 

• Did you know that around 1879 the famous English nursery Veitch , sent the plant hunter Charles Maries to China and Japan?
• So what did he come back with? 
• Two different plants, a Hydrangea with flat flowers (lacecap) he called H.macrophylla 'Mariesii' and a spherical type , he called Hydrangea macrophylla ' Rosea' . 

Jeremy's tip: Cut back to a few centimetres above the ground to rejuvenate old and young plants alike.

Marianne's Tip: . The pink or blue flowers depend on the soil pH in which they grow. 

pH of 5.0 to 5.5 for blue flowers; pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for pink flowers.

If you want to change colour of your hydrangea flowers, do it in winter by applying either aluminium sulphate for blue flowers or several cups of garden lime around the plant for pink flowers.