bigleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa'

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa') is a beautiful, hardy shrub with large, dark green foliage and showy white or pink flowers. Its unique and vibrant blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Bigleaf Hydrangea prefers humid climates and moist, well-drained soils. Its flowers bloom in springtime and go through several color changes throughout the season as the pH levels of the soil fluctuate. This easy-to-care-for species is an excellent addition to any garden and can be enjoyed for many years.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Hardwood Cuttings,Stem Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Pink to blue Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Deep shade, Filtered shade, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained

Fruits:

green,brown,pink Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

watering

When watering Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa'), be sure to have moist soil but not overly saturated. These plants prefer soil that is kept consistently moist but not soggy. Water deeply once a week during the summer months and less in the winter months. Water the base of the plant near the stem rather than from above to avoid wetting the leaves. Depending on the weather, you may need to provide more water, especially during dry and hot spells. Make sure to check the soil before watering to avoid overwatering.

sunlight

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa') grows best in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, it is important to note that too much sun can cause the leaves to curl and become dry. This species of Hydrangea can survive in partial shade, but the more sun it receives the better it will thrive and produce better blooms. Bigleaf Hydrangeas typically flower best in full sunshine during the summer months. It is important to note that too much direct sunlight in winter months can be damaging, so late afternoon shade is recommended during colder seasons.

pruning

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa') should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter and again in midsummer. Late winter pruning should only be done to remove damaged, dead, or diseased wood, and should not involve significant trimming. Midsummer pruning should be depended on the shrub’s size and shape, so it is best to prune lightly, removing only old wood, dead branches, and individual flower heads. Try to avoid cutting back to the same point twice in the same season. Pruning the Bigleaf hydrangea too heavily can reduce the number of flowers produced for the following year.

Season

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Hydrangea macrophylla 'Otaksa' is usually in late summer or early fall, typically between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Bigleaf hydrangeas typically start flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.