The oak leaf hydrangea is native to the southeastern United States and has leaves that turn dark red in the fall.
Southern Accents: What determines the shade of hydrangeas?
Marjorie Imus: The pH level of the soil determines the color of the flowers. You can test your soil with a kit from a local garden center.
A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is sufficient for getting blue flowers. With a higher pH, you get pink flowers.
SA: Where is the best site for growing hydrangeas?
MI: Most hydrangeas are woodland plants, so they require some shade. Especially in the South, they like protection from the harsh
western sun. The exception to this rule is Hydrangea paniculata, which will flourish in full sunlight.
SA: When is the ideal time to plant hydrangeas?
MI: After the danger of frost in the spring, or during the fall.
SA: How much care and attention do they need?
MI: They like to be mulched to keep their root system cool, and regular watering is important. A top dressing of compost is always
good in the spring.
SA: What is the best method of pruning hydrangeas?
MI: Actually, we don't really prune. We remove old flower heads and branches in the spring after the last frost. Sometimes, if
a shrub is scraggly, we will cut it to the ground to allow all new growth to come out in late spring. More than likely, there
will be no flowers that upcoming season, but they will be profuse the following season.
SA: What are the different species and their attributes?
MI: H. aspera, H. heteromalla, H. paniculata, and H. scandens are deciduous shrubs and can grow up to 20 feet tall in the wild.
H. seemannii, H. anomala petiolaris, and H. serratifolia are all climbers. They grow vigorously once they have set their roots and can cover the side of a house or a garden wall when trained. They can also climb up a tree or spill down a bank for a ground cover.
H. arborescens and H. macrophylla are lacecap types, growing 3 to 12 feet. However, they can be kept in the garden at 5 to 7 feet by pruning.
H. quercifolia is a white to ivory oakleaf hydrangea that grows an open panicle that is up to 5 inches wide at the base of the flower. I love to use the foliage in the fall because it becomes a beautiful dark red.
SA: Which species is the most popular?
MI: The most popular would be the French hydrangea (H. macrophylla). It is a familiar sight in many gardens.
SA: Which is your personal favorite?
MI: I love H. macrophylla. It makes a great statement in arrangements. Some of the panicle types, which feature a cluster of small blooms attached
by short stems to a thicker main bloom stem, also work well in arrangements.
SA: What is the best cutting technique to prevent wilting?
MI: Cut in the cool of the morning. Remove all lower leaves, except the ones you want to use in the arrangement. You can immerse
the whole flower in water for up to two hours. We also cut vertically about 1 inch into the stem, allowing even more water
to be drawn up.
RESOURCES: MingleWood, 336/725-5364, www.minglewoodflowers.com.
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