Hydrangea Care Guide

From Nursery Pick to Stunning Seasonal Blooms

Hydrangeas are a showstopper in any Cleveland landscape, offering lush foliage and large blooms in shades of blue, pink, white, or green. They thrive in our climate, but success depends on choosing the right variety and knowing how and when to prune, water, and amend your soil.

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🛒 Choosing the Right Hydrangea

Hydrangeas come in several species — here are the most Cleveland-friendly:

• Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea): Upright, sun-tolerant, white-to-pink cone-shaped blooms. Very winter hardy.

• Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea): Classic mophead or lacecap flowers. Color changes with soil pH. Needs protection in harsh winters.

• Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea): Native to the U.S., hardy and easy to maintain. ‘Annabelle’ is a favorite.

• Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): Textured leaves and large flower cones; best in partial shade.

🧠 Pro Tip: If winter kill is a concern, avoid macrophylla unless you’re committed to protecting it over winter.

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🌱 Where & How to Plant Hydrangeas

🌞 Sunlight:

• Panicle: Full sun to partial shade

• Bigleaf & Oakleaf: Prefer morning sun, afternoon shade

• Smooth: Handles more shade than most

🌍 Soil:

• Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter. Macrophyllas benefit from acidic soil if you want blue flowers.

🪛 Planting Instructions:

1. Dig a hole 2x wider than the root ball and just as deep.

2. Mix compost into the native soil.

3. Place the hydrangea so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.

4. Backfill, water deeply, and apply 2–3” of mulch, leaving space around the base.

🧠 Pro Tip: Test your soil pH if growing Bigleaf hydrangeas — aluminum availability in acidic soil makes blooms blue.

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💧 Watering & Feeding

Hydrangeas love water — their name literally means “water vessel.”

• Water deeply 2–3 times a week, especially in dry summer spells

• Avoid wetting leaves to prevent mildew

• Fertilize in early spring and again in midsummer using a balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer (10-10-10)

🧠 Avoid: Over-fertilizing macrophylla — it encourages foliage over flowers.

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✂️ Pruning by Type

Timing is crucial — pruning the wrong type at the wrong time means no blooms next year.

• Panicle: Prune in late winter or early spring (blooms on new wood)

• Smooth: Prune in late winter to control size (blooms on new wood)

• Bigleaf: Lightly prune after blooming in summer (blooms on old wood)

• Oakleaf: Prune after flowering if needed, very lightly

🧠 Pro Tip: When in doubt, don’t prune heavily. You can always remove dead stems and shape lightly.

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❄️ Winter Protection (Especially for Bigleaf)

Hydrangea macrophylla is most sensitive to winter damage in Cleveland.

• Mulch base with leaves or straw in late fall

• Wrap in burlap or use a plant cage stuffed with straw for insulation

• Avoid pruning in fall — it may encourage new growth that won’t survive the frost

🧠 Panicle and Smooth types are tough — little protection needed

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🐛 Common Pests & Problems

• Powdery Mildew: Improve air circulation and avoid wetting leaves

• Aphids & Spider Mites: Use insecticidal soap if infestation occurs

• Leaf Spot (fungus): Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering

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🌼 Summary Checklist

✅ Pick the right type for your sun, space, and winter tolerance
✅ Amend soil with compost, ensure good drainage
✅ Water consistently and mulch well
✅ Prune at the right time based on variety
✅ Protect Bigleaf types from harsh winters
✅ Monitor for mildew, mites, and aphids