Hi to Hydrangeas!
Flower Meaning~Gratitude, Grace & Beauty
“I took the left path where the hydrangeas grew and sleepy primroses under woods, edged shady trees.
The empty stream ran quietly dry
with grass cuttings piling high.
If one peeped, one would find tiny creatures
To cast a sparkle here and there, a delight.
So on tip-toe, with sandals bent
Up high I reached to take
The plastic fairy as she twirled a pirouette
In a theater made by chance.
Reflected in a silver mirror intwined with ivy branch.
A mottled foal tend his dreams and Christmas robin chirps...”
Hydrangeas are a particular favorite of mine. My mind wanders as I count this lush & multi season flower.
The summer brings pure colors of blue, white & pink. Then as autumn approaches the warm soft colors of blush,
cream & sage. Each year the number grows—somewhere over 80 bushes at Belle Flower Farm.
There are differing options as to when to prune.
Each year my own process begins in late winter. The PNW often shares some much needed sunshine in February and March—the perfect opportunity to get into the garden and see what is waking up. The birds sing a song of hope for spring, the breeze sends the smells of evergreen and fires.
Spending time in the rhythm of nature.
Step 1:
One bush at a time, I like to set attainable goals. The larger varieties can take up to an hour. Gather the tools of the trade— sharp & clean hand pruners/secateurs (for me, they are “Lefties”), long handled clippers for thicker branches, container for clippings (I use a tall trash can to collect for composting), and a small rake.
Step 2:
Make your first pass, snipping old mop heads to the 1st bud node. Take out any dead off shoots from previous years blooms.
Step 3:
Clip out any old branches that have lived their life and are absent of fresh green bud nodes. Prune down to the base of the bush.
Step 4:
Clear out any old decayed branches & leaf litter from the center. Rake the base clear.
Step 5:
Take your last pass around the bush to shape into a pleasing height & width. Remove to just above a leaf node which will encourage growth. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the branch structure each year. Harsh pruning will result in minimal blooms, as several varieties bloom on last years growth. Step back and take joy in knowing you have begun the cycle of new growth in your garden.
Additional Tips: The success of garden Hydrangeas begins with planting. Best planted in a bed with morning sun, hydrangeas make amazing structure for the summer & autumn garden. Feed at the end of winter with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Add limestone early spring & mid summer by scratching into the base of each hydrangea to maintain pH of 6.-6.2 for consistent colors. Well drained soil and a fresh layer of compost are healthy additions.
Say “Hi” to our garden friends, the Hydrangea.
“Hydrangeas are the fairy tale flowers of the garden. With their big, showy blooms and delicate shades of pink, blue and white, they are like something out of a dream.”
