With these new hardy hybrids, gardeners have had more options for growingcolorful bigleaf hydrangeas.
The new Pop Star cultivar is a lacecap bigleaf hydrangea in an easy-care compact size.
The small size makes it a good choice for a patio container.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Observe the movement of sunlight in your yard through the seasons to determine the best spot.
Acidic soils will usually yield a blue flower, whereas alkaline soils produce a pink flower.
Tomake soil more acidic, add some aluminum sulfate or wettable sulfur to your soil area.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
To make soil “sweeter” ormore alkaline, use powdered lime or crushed limestone.
Temperate zone humidity should not bother this sturdy plant.
Don’t fertilize after mid-August to allow the plant to prepare for its winter dormancy.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
These shrubs should be pruned lightly just to maintain shape, or to remove dead or broken branches.
Growing Pop Star Hydrangeas in Containers
These compact shrubs do very well in containers on your patio.
These may include leaf spot (CercosporaorPhyllosticta hydrangea), powdery mildew, bud blight, and leaf rust.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
In addition, common pests that may affect hydrangeas includeJapanese beetles, slugs and aphids.
Most of these conditions or pests can be addressed with simple non-toxic treatments.
Sufficient air circulation helps prevent powdery mildew, so when planting, leave some space around the shrub.
Endless Summer® Hydrangeas
New buds will appear just four weeks after being deadheaded.
It’s tight growth habit makes the flowers, not the foliage, the focus.
Using a basic balanced organic fertilizer once or twice during the growing season should be sufficient.
Endless Summer® Hydrangeas
(And it’s a good idea to perform a soil test before fertilizing).
Paniculata hydrangeas have a long bloom season.
Paniculata types include cold-hardy white-flowered cultivars such as ‘Limelight’ and PeeGee.'
Endless Summer® Hydrangeas
Endless Summer® Hydrangeas
