bigleaf hydrangea

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Decatur Blue') should be watered deeply once per week. During hot summer temperatures, it may need to be watered more frequently. The soil should remain moist enough to give the roots of the plant access to plenty of water, and yet not so wet that the roots can become water-logged. If the soil gets too dry, the plant's leaves may start to wilt. Providing enough water during the season will also help to promote sweet and abundant blooms. In order to prevent over-watering, make sure to let the plant's soil dry out a bit in-between watering.

Bigleaf hydrangea prefers full to partial sun and should receive approximately 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. In order to prevent scorching, it is best to provide the sun during the cooler parts of the day--either in the morning or late afternoon. During hotter summer months, it is best to provide some shade for the hydrangea during the afternoon. Planting the hydrangea where it will receive bright shade all day (such as beneath a large tree) or in a location that provides afternoon shade will help ensure its success.

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Decatur Blue') should be pruned once a year in late winter, ideally before the beginning of new growth in the spring. When trimming, remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first. Then, remove any branches that are crossing, rubbing, or growing in an undesired direction. Next, trim the remaining stems back by about 1-third to 1-half their length. This helps encourage fuller blooms and keeps the plant more manageable. Finally, deadhead faded blooms once they are spent to encourage new growth. To ensure healthy plants, avoid over-pruning.