bigleaf hydrangea

Bigleaf hydrangea should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil is dry. During hot summer months, you may need to water the plant more frequently. As a general rule, however, it is best to water Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dooley' in the morning or evening, rather than during the heat of midday. Make sure the soil is evenly moist around the base of the plant each time you water, and that water is reaching the root zone. Avoid wetting the foliage, as this could lead to disease.

The bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dooley') thrives in indirect sunlight, preferably receiving only about 4 hours each day. It does best when kept in shade in hot climates, such as in the southern United States. This species needs to be kept in the shade or indirect light during the hottest parts of the day (generally between 10am and 4pm) and can enjoy brighter light at the cooler times such as in the mornings and evenings. If your hydrangea is kept in direct or bright sunlight during the day, it could suffer from leaf scorch. In short, bigleaf hydrangeas need approximately 4 hours of indirect sunlight a day, with bright light only in the mornings and evenings, preferably avoiding the sun's hottest midday hours.

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dooley') should be pruned twice a year for optimum growth and flowering. Pruning should be done after the plant has finished flowering in late summer or early fall, and then again in early spring before new growth begins. During the late summer or early fall pruning, remove any old, dead or damaged branches or stems. This will allow more air, light, and nutrients to the newer growth. Next, remove any tangled branches, any suckers or branches that are growing too close together, and any branches that are growing in the wrong direction. Lastly, prune the flowering stems back to about 6-10 inches in length. For the early spring pruning, once again remove any dead, damaged, or overly tangled branches that you may have missed and cut out any old wood that had bloomed the previous year. This will help prevent diseased or dead wood from accumulating and will also open up the center of the plant to allow more light and air in. Lastly, remove any crossing branches and prune the remaining stems back to about 8-12 inches in length. Be sure to use sharp, clean pruning tools and sterilize them between cuts. Also, only prune a few branches at a time to prevent shocking the plant and to make sure you are not over pruning. Following these pruning tips will ensure that your bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Dooley') continues to thrive and provide many seasons of fragrant beauty.