bigleaf hydrangea

Water thoroughly after planting and then water approximately once a week to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. If grown in a container, watering every 5-7 days should be sufficient. If grown in the ground, it is best to water deeply once a week to saturate the soil. During periods of extreme heat or drought, plants should be watered more frequently. Reduce watering during cold or rainy periods.

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty') grow best in full sun or partial shade and prefer to receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the hottest part of the day, however, these plants should be shielded from the sun with shade cloth or by providing a bit of extra water to help keep the leaves from getting scorched. When possible, try to position these plants in an area that receives the morning sun but will be shady during the hottest part of the day, such as a location near a deciduous tree or a north facing wall.

The best time to prune a Bigleaf Hydrangea is in the late winter season, before the new growth of spring begins. Prune out any dead or diseased branches and lightly shape the plant to give it a nice form. When pruning, remove no more than 1-third of the total plant to maintain its shape and promote healthy growth. Be sure to use pruning shears to make clean cuts on the branches and avoid leaving any jagged edges. Additionally, avoid cutting any branches that are smaller than the width of your index finger. Lastly, fertilize the plant after pruning.