bigleaf hydrangea

Bigleaf hydrangeas should be watered deeply and infrequently throughout their growing season. Water thoroughly once a week in the morning, ensuring the soil is moist and not soggy. During extremely hot periods, however, they may need to be watered every 4-5 days. During winter, if the soil is frozen, hold off on watering until it has thawed. When watering, soak the ground around the roots until it begins to drip from the bottom of the pot; this will ensure they get enough moisture. Avoid overhead watering as it may result in fungal diseases.

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) thrive in bright, indirect sunlight for a minimum of 4 hours every day. They prefer morning sun and should be protected from intense afternoon sun, as the extra heat and light can stress the plant and hurt its growth. To ensure your bigleaf hydrangea gets the sunshine it needs for optimal growth, plant it somewhere that gets direct sunlight in the morning but is shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) should be pruned once during the late fall or early winter months. Immediately after flowering, prune out any spent blooms and dead, diseased or crossing branches. This pruning should be light and done judiciously. Depending on the size and age of your hydrangea, it is often best to simply remove any old woodiness and/or shape the bush. Heavy pruning should be avoided as Bigleaf Hydrangeas tend to bloom on year-old wood.