smooth hydrangea

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Ryan Gainey') should be watered thoroughly and deeply once a week, depending on the temperature and the water-holding capacity of your soil. Make sure to water until the top 5 to 8 inches of soil are moist. During dry and/or hot periods, you may need to increase the frequency of watering. Although hydrangea plants like plenty of water, it's important to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. If possible, it's best to apply water directly to the soil rather than using heavy jets or sprays directly onto the foliage.

Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens 'Ryan Gainey') thrive in full sun to part shade, but they prefer to be in partial shade. In cooler climates, they should get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. During the hottest part of the day, they should get some shade in order to protect them from scorching and wilting. If planted in areas with full sun, providing afternoon shade is beneficial. However, if planted in areas with more shade, providing some morning sun can be beneficial. Because this species does best with some shade, it is important to consider when the sun will be most intense when planting.

Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens 'Ryan Gainey') should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done to remove any dead, diseased, or overcrowded branches, or to lightly shape the shrub. If you are pruning to promote flowering, lightly prune the whole shrub by 10-20%. Furthermore, if you want to increase flowering or reduce size and shape, it is best to prune before the flowers emerge and bloom.