Hydrangeas for Sale Online
Most hydrangeas do best with morning sun and afternoon shade — full afternoon sun stresses the plant, while too much shade limits blooming. The variety you choose determines when you should prune, which is the single most common mistake home gardeners make with hydrangeas.
Hydrangea Care: Why Pruning Timing Matters
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) set next year's flower buds on this year's growth — per Clemson Cooperative Extension, prune them right after they finish flowering, and never after August 1, or you'll cut off next season's blooms. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas (H. paniculata, H. arborescens) bloom on new wood instead, so they're pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Bigleaf varieties also respond to soil pH — a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 produces blue blooms, while 6.0 and above shifts them toward pink. Bigleaf hydrangeas typically reach 4 to 12 feet at maturity, so plan spacing accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I prune hydrangeas?
It depends on the type: prune bigleaf hydrangeas right after flowering (never after August 1); prune panicle and smooth types in late winter before new growth begins.
How do I turn my hydrangea blue?
Lower the soil pH to 5.0–5.5 — this only works on bigleaf hydrangeas, not panicle or smooth types.
Do hydrangeas need sun or shade?
Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for most varieties; too much direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
