What's the trick to growing your own hydrangea bush?
The only advice I can give you (that has worked for me) is to water your hydrangea bush A LOT and otherwise just ignore it!
I bought an inexpensive blue hydrangea bush in June of 2017 and planted it in a pot. Within a month, the blue got completely washed out as you can see in this photo from a post where I asked for help from other bloggers...
I got a lot of advice like...put a rusty nail in the pot, add coffee grounds once in a while, buy additives at the garden shop that is meant to turn them pink or blue depending on which color you prefer...
The best advice I got was "water it like crazy because the name itself, Hydrangea, indicates water."
So here we are, 2 years later. I've pretty much watered it like crazy and then ignored it! The pot sits out on the patio all year long.
In winter we get 2 or 3 small snow storms and the snow piles up on the pot and the poor shriveled plant. Sometimes I look out the window and think the snow is going to kill the plant for sure!
It was especially cold this past winter, but the plant came back with a vengeance this year and it seems like it can't decide whether to be blue or pink, so it's going for both!
I love it when even a crappy gardener like me can grow flowers like these!
I see a few hydrangeas flowers for sale in the floral sections at the market, and they sell for more than the price of a potted hydrangea that often has 3 to 6 flowers on it!
People should know they can buy a potted hydrangea, take it home and water it and cut flowers for the house for years to come.
Thanks for dropping by!
That's amazing and so pretty! I don't think it would grow here, but it is worth a try in cooler months to try to keep one alive for a couple of months. My grandfather use to grow them, and they were so gorgeous. xoxo Su
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this advice. We have a hydrangea in our back yard that has done nothing since we planted it three or four years ago. My husband insists on cutting it back every fall and we don't water it much. So - thanks to you, all that is going to change! Maybe with your advice, our little hydrangea will finally bloom! Thanks again, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I don't cut it back either. I read that some flowers grow on old wood, some grow on new wood...that was too overwhelming for me so I don't cut it back at all. I recently read to cut the flowers off in the morning when it's cool so I'm going to cut some tomorrow. Wish me luck.
DeleteSeems to have worked just fine. They are beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteThere are 3 big bushes at the house we are trying to sell that have never bloomed for the 5 years we lived there.
Do they grow back each year? I did not think it was possible to be a worse brown thumb than me, but you win the prize.
DeleteWe'll, I've killed one. (Can't remember how, but was so disappointed!). I might try again. You make it sound SO easy.😊
ReplyDeleteMy hydrangea's I planted in the back yard did not make it through this harsh winter. The ones in the front are coming back slowly. I too usually water them a lot and just leave them be. Let Nature take course. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteThat hydrangea is very pretty with its pink and blue flowers.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! I have 3 of them in my yard, and only get a few blooms. I'll try your watering trick.
ReplyDeleteI love hydrangeas! I am impressed with that color - we have had the same problem. I'll have to try extra water. :)
ReplyDeleteHow pretty love the combination of both the pink and the blue.
ReplyDeleteHydrangeas are my most favorite flower! My bushes are blooming well this year, after a poor showing last year. Like yours, they have multi-colored blooms. I don't care though, as long as they are blooming! Your plant looks gorgeous!! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites. Love the colors that your's has produced.
ReplyDeleteI've never been able to keep one going long enough (though my outdoor one in the ground takes extraordinary abuse and still survives.) Yours is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, we live in a desert area so water is always a must, but it sounds like these must need much more than most plants. You have made me want to try once more. Hydrangeas are do beautiful. Thanks for the encouragement . . . my thumb already feels greener.
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for your prayers and thoughtful understanding. I am so sorry that we have to go through this. The good news is that we don't have to walk this path alone, the Lord is with us every step of the way.
God bless you both
Connie:)
I truly needed these tips as my hydrangeas never bloom!
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's where I've been going wrong, I cut them back and rarely water them. Mind you here in the UK we normally have enough rain we don't need to, but times are a changing!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve encouraged me to try hydrangeas again!
ReplyDeleteYou have given me hope. I bought one 3yrs ago when it was blooming. I use Miracle grow and have tried other tips but not a bloom in 3 yrs. I have a brown thumb,and I have realized I do not like gardening. My lil garden is on strike over my way. I broke down and ordered faux outdoor fade resistant flowers for my window boxes. I just don't like any plant or flower that requires too much care. Now watering.. I can manage that. Thanks for sharing your tips. Blessings-
ReplyDelete