Fall Bunch Airbrushed Hydrangeas (2024)

FAQs

What are the best fall hydrangeas? ›

Few plants stand-out so spectacularly in the autumn garden as the panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata & its cultivars). Fall's cooler temperatures transform the flower colors of this species to create dynamic changes in the garden.

If you don't prune hydrangeas then they can eventually resemble a tangled mass of woody stems, and the flowers will become smaller and less showy. Regular pruning of hydrangeas helps to maintain their shape and also encourages new growth and a better display of blooms.

Panicle hydrangeas from Proven Winners are the most reliably blooming, low maintenance, hardy hydrangeas you can grow. Since they bloom on new growth each summer, there is no chance for the flower buds to be damaged by winter cold because they simply haven't been formed yet.

Panicle hydrangeas are a fantastic choice for adding late-season interest to your garden. As other plants start to fade, panicle hydrangeas burst into bloom, stealing the spotlight with their showy panicles of flowers. Their long-lasting flowers persist well into the fall, extending the beauty of your garden.

In late winter or early spring, these shrubs can be cut all the way back to the ground. Smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger blooms if pruned hard like this each year, but many gardeners opt for smaller blooms on sturdier stems.

When to prune hydrangeas. Most pruning is carried out in late winter or early spring. However, climbing hydrangeas are pruned after flowering in summer.

Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.

Pruning your hydrangeas at the wrong time

The perfect time to prune most hydrangeas is in late winter and early spring, making it a good weekend job during March. Pruning after the winter frosts also helps to protect the plant from winter injury. However, climbing hydrangeas should be left until early summer.

If your plant is getting too many nutrients through your soil, it may begin producing lush, healthy leaves at the expense of blooms.

Regular hydrangeas bloom once per season, while reblooming varieties produce a second set of flowers later in the season on new stems. For hydrangeas, deadheading is about making the shrubs look neater, and focusing plant growth on roots and leaves instead of seeds.

Which hydrangea is cold hardy? ›

Bigleaf hydrangea, oakleaf hydrangea, and mountain hydrangea bloom on old wood and have robust root systems, meaning the shrub itself can withstand some harsh winter temperatures down to -15°F, but the dormant flower buds of the canes may be compromised.

Planting hydrangeas in early fall is one of the best times because the soil still holds on to warmer temperatures from summer and will remain warm until the first frost. Hydrangeas prefer well-drained loam or sandy loam soil and love to be planted in an area with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo': Ideal for smaller spaces, this variety boasts vibrant yellow fall foliage that lends a touch of warmth to your garden. Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): With its distinctive oak-like leaves that turn fiery red in autumn, this shrub adds a rustic elegance to your landscape.