If you are looking for a beautiful plant that grows luxuriantly and adds a touch of color to your garden, the hydrangea will not disappoint you : its bushes, In spring, they bloom in a burst of wonderful hues that perfume the environment. It is the ideal option if you have enough space, but some varieties also lend themselves to being planted in pots to brighten up your balcony. Furthermore, hydrangeas do not require much care and are easily grown  , adapting well to the Mediterranean climate. Let’s see how to grow them, both in the garden and in pots.

Hydrangea, the characteristics of the plant.

The hydrangea (scientifically called Hydrangea ) is a floral plant belonging to the Hydrangea family: unbeatable among the ornamental species, it is characterized for having large and very showy flowers, which can be of very diverse colors . Originally from Asia and South America, it spread in the 18th century in England and then slowly throughout the rest of Europe, thanks to its adaptability. even to the coldest temperatures.

There are several varieties of this plant, one of the most common is Hydrangea macrophylla in which it is planted. If they are acidic, they will actually be bluish; On the contrary, in a basic or alkaline soil, the flowers that will sprout will have a very pretty pink or violet color.type of soil , which gives rise to beautiful bushes full of colorful flowers. Its main characteristic is the ability to produce different flowers depending on the 

Other varieties (some of which are climbers) are smaller and are better suited to container growing . This is the case of the Hydrangea panicula , the only species that produces white flowers: its small tree can measure up to 5 meters in height, but not It takes up a lot of space in width. However, all hydrangeas are easy to grow and do not require special attention. Their ideal habitat is cool and temperate, so they should be placed out of direct sunlight , especially in summer or in warmer areas. It also survives winter well, resisting even harsh temperatures.

How to plant hydrangeas

If you have decided to take up growing hydrangeas , there are a few steps to follow to ensure you have a lush plant that produces beautiful flowers. First, choose the period in which to plant carefully: if you start from seed, the best time is spring, around April . On the contrary, if you have bought a grown seedling and you only have to plant it, do it during the month of May or wait until autumn, between October and November.

When preparing the soil, remember that hydrangeas prefer a moist and humus-rich base , to combine with natural fertilizers such as acid peat or manure. As we have seen, exposure is important: this plant grows best if placed in a well-ventilated place protected from direct sunlight, except in winter. During the cold season, you can also move the pot inside your house, but leaving it next to a window where it can receive sunlight. If the plant is in the garden, remember to cover the soil to protect it from colder temperatures.

Canned

Now let’s see how to plant a hydrangea in a pot. First of all, choose a container large enough, depending on the variety you have decided to plant. It is important that the pot has holes in the bottom , to allow the soil to drain water more efficiently. Fill it with soil (preferably suitable for hydrangeas) and use fertilizer to provide all the nutrients your seedlings will need.

At this point, make a small hole in the soil and insert the seeds – you can also use one of the techniques to  and place the plant in it, then compact the soil with your hands. Whichever method you choose to plant hydrangeas, remember to water immediately afterward.quite deep hole , and only then transfer the germinated seed to the soil. If, on the other hand, you have bought a grown seedling, check that its roots are moist; you can submerge them in warm water for half an hour before planting them. Then dig a accelerate the germination process

In the garden

To plant a hydrangea in the garden, the same instructions that we have already seen apply. When preparing the soil, pay special attention to fertilization : since in this case you will not have the specific soil for hydrangeas, you will have to add a fertilizer that can guarantee the plant all the nutrients it needs to grow. Dig the soil deeply to soften it, then dig a small hole and insert the seeds or seedling you previously purchased. Compact the soil with your hands and water immediately : the hydrangea needs water to grow and is especially afraid of drought.

How to grow hydrangeas

Once you have planted your hydrangeas, the maximum is done: there are not many precautions that you will have to take from now on so that the seedlings grow as well as possible. Let’s start with irrigation , the most delicate part of any crop. Since the hydrangea fears arid soils, you must ensure that the soil in which it lives is always sufficiently moist, but avoiding dangerous stagnation of water that could cause the roots to rot. The best way to tell if the plant needs water is to touch the soil with your fingers and feel if it is still wet. or if it is drying out. a>

It is better to water abundantly during the budding period , while it can be reduced when the plant has already flowered. Water the soil early in the morning or in the evening after sunset, using room temperature water. You can recycle rainwater, to also avoid problems derived from a possible excessive presence of limestone. Then it is necessary prune the hydrangea annually , starting from the third year of life: in autumn, after the flowering period, you should remove dry branches and wilted flowers, to make sure they don’t steal food, water and light. of the vital parts of the hydrangea.

Finally, remember to fertilize the plant periodically – especially in spring, when flowering begins – and check that it is not infested with parasites . In the latter case, you can try some natural remedies to defeat ants, mealybugs, aphids and red spiders, the most common “enemies” of hydrangeas. .