Bigleaf Hydrangea Growing Guide

The bigleaf hydrangea is a stunning shrub that thrives in partial shade, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded areas of your yard.

It prefers well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.5.

Choose a location with consistent moisture, as the bigleaf hydrangea needs about 1 inch of water per week.

Bigleaf hydrangeas can grow quite large, up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, so give them plenty of space to spread out.

In the spring, bigleaf hydrangeas produce large, showy flowers that are a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds.

These flowers come in a range of colors, including pink, blue, and white, depending on the soil pH.

Deadheading is not necessary for bigleaf hydrangeas, as the flowers will drop off naturally after they fade.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are relatively low maintenance, but they do require regular pruning to maintain their shape and promote new growth.

Prune the shrub in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or damaged branches.

Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil and a steady supply of moisture to prevent wilting. A good 2-3" layer of mulch is crucial in all climates, all year-round.

Soil pH is not a major concern for bigleaf hydrangeas, as they can grow well in acidic to slightly alkaline soils with a pH of 7.5 and above. However, the pH of the soil can impact the flower color of most varieties.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are generally suited for moderately warm climates with average humidity, but can tolerate cold temperatures down to -30°F in some varieties. In hot, arid climates, it's essential to provide shade for the plant during the hottest part of the day.

Hydrangeas love moist, well-drained soil, so make sure to water them regularly to keep them looking their best.

A good layer of mulch is essential, especially in climates with extreme temperatures. Aim for a 2-3" layer of mulch all year-round.

The pH of the soil can affect the flower color of most hydrangea varieties, with acidic soils producing blue flowers and alkaline soils producing pink or red flowers.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are cold tolerant to USDA zone 5 and heat tolerant through USDA zone 9. They can survive in USDA zone 4, but the flower buds may be damaged by cold, resulting in no flowers for the year.

In cold climates, it's essential to plant bigleaf hydrangeas where they're protected from frigid Westerly winds and weather. This can be achieved by planting them on the east side of your home or surrounding them with walls or other structures.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are native to mild coastal regions of Japan, which is why they thrive in seaside areas in North America. They prefer moderately warm climates with average humidity rather than hot, arid climates.

Planting bigleaf hydrangeas in a sunny spot that's protected from winter winds can help prevent winter damage and promote healthy growth.

For more insights, see: How to Prune Bigleaf Hydrangea for Winter

Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They thrive in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil, and the soil pH can even influence flower color, with acidic soils producing blue flowers and alkaline soils resulting in pink flowers.

To keep your bigleaf hydrangea healthy, water it consistently, especially during hot or dry periods. However, avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot. Watering should be done when the top layer of soil feels dry.

Here are some key care requirements for growing a bigleaf hydrangea:

In colder climates, provide winter protection by mulching around the base of the plant to insulate the roots from extreme cold. This will help prevent damage to the roots.

Fertilizer is an essential part of bigleaf hydrangea care, and it's best to fertilize them in the spring just as new growth starts with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer. This will provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and blooming.

You can also use a granular rose fertilizer in early spring for all bigleaf hydrangeas, as it will help mitigate any issues with pH extremes. Fertilizing monthly from early spring through late July is recommended for reblooming bigleaf hydrangeas.

It's worth noting that high-phosphorus fertilizers can hinder the uptake of aluminum, which affects flower color. So, it's best to avoid using them altogether.

Here are some key fertilizer tips to keep in mind:

By following these fertilizer tips, you'll be able to provide your bigleaf hydrangea with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and blooming.

Pruning your bigleaf hydrangea is a delicate process that requires some finesse. It's generally recommended to prune only moderately and do it promptly after flowering. This allows the plant to set buds for the next season during the fall.

Pruning at the wrong time can result in the loss of flowers, so it's essential to get it right. Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, which means they produce flowers on last year's growth. This is why pruning them in late fall or winter can remove potential flower buds for the next season.

To prune your bigleaf hydrangea, remove spent blooms and lightly shape as needed. Cut branches back to just above a healthy set of leaves. Prune out dead or diseased growth in early spring when plants are breaking dormancy.

For more insights, see: Pruning Lacecap Hydrangea

It's also crucial to avoid heavy pruning, as this can result in the loss of flowers. Instead, focus on removing dead or diseased stems, and shape the plant as needed to improve airflow and prevent the spread of fungal diseases.

Here's a quick guide to pruning your bigleaf hydrangea:

Potting and Repotting Bigleaf Hydrangeas requires some special care. Select a dwarf variety like 'Wee Bit Grumpy' which grows only 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide at maturity.

Bigleaf hydrangeas need containers with large drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil.

For a happy and healthy plant, use well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot.

Repot your bigleaf hydrangea in a container one size up with fresh potting mix when the roots emerge from the drain holes or the plant becomes root-bound.

A different take: White Mum Plant

Planting bigleaf hydrangeas is best done in the summer or fall when the weather is cooler. This allows the plant to establish itself before the heat of the next summer.

Dig a hole about twice the width of the nursery container and just deep enough to fit the root ball. Backfill with soil and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets. Water deeply to ensure the soil is moist.

To plant multiple hydrangeas, space them about five feet apart to give them enough room to grow.

If you want to propagate your bigleaf hydrangea, you can do so by rooting stem cuttings or layering. Both methods are best done in the spring or early summer when the cutting has time to root before being planted in the fall.

Here's a quick summary of the steps for rooting stem cuttings:

To plant hydrangeas, start by loosening soil in the planting area and amending it with compost or other rich organic matter. This will help your plant grow strong and healthy.

Dig a hole that's 2 to 3 times wider and the same depth as the root ball. This will give your plant enough room to spread out its roots.

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Remove the plant from its nursery container and loosen any potbound roots. This will help the plant establish itself in its new home.

Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is slightly higher or level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets.

Water the plant thoroughly and provide regular water until it's established.

Propagating plants is a great way to share your favorites with friends and family, or to expand your own garden. The Bigleaf Hydrangea is one of the easiest plants to propagate.

You can propagate Bigleaf Hydrangea by rooting stem cuttings or layering, and both methods are best done in the spring or early summer. This gives the cutting time to root and can be planted in the fall.

To root stem cuttings, start by taking a 6- to 8-inch cutting without any flowers and at least one growth node. Strip off all the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps:

Alternatively, you can try layering a stem. This involves finding a stem that is bent or grows as close to the ground as possible, and scraping off a little of the bark around a node.

Bigleaf hydrangeas have large, opposite leaves that can grow up to 15 cm (6 in) in length, and are generally serrated.

Their leaves are simple, membranous, orbicular to elliptic, and acuminate, which means they have a pointed tip.

The natural inflorescence of wild bigleaf hydrangeas is a corymb, with all flowers placed in a plane.

The leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla can grow quite long, up to 15 cm (6 in) in length.

They are simple, membranous, and orbicular to elliptic in shape, with acuminate tips.

The leaves are generally serrated, which gives them a distinctive edge.

The foliage can be green or variegated, with oval and pointed shapes and pronounced veining.

Serrated edges are a characteristic feature of the leaves, adding to their unique appearance.

In the fall, the leaves display insignificant color change.

Flowers are a standout feature of bigleaf hydrangeas, with large showy flower heads that are comprised of clusters of smaller florets and have a rounded or flat appearance.

The colors of these flowers are incredibly varied, ranging from pink to blue, with white, purple, and red also being common.

You might be surprised to learn that the color of the flowers can be influenced by the soil they're grown in, with acidic soils often producing blue flowers and neutral to alkaline soils producing pink flowers.

However, it's not quite that simple - for blue flowers to develop, there also needs to be aluminum present in the soil, which isn't always the case even in acidic soils.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you're buying a bigleaf hydrangea online or in a garden center, it's likely to bloom pink unless it's been specifically treated to bloom blue, due to the lack of aluminum in commercial growing media.

But don't worry, the flower color will eventually reflect the conditions of the soil it's planted in, so you can expect to see a change in color after a year or so.

Worth a look: Blue Mophead Hydrangea

Hydrangeas come in a range of heights, from 1 to 10 feet tall. This compact habit makes them perfect for small gardens or containers.

Some varieties can spread up to 10 feet wide, so be sure to leave enough space for them to grow.

Old-fashioned bigleaf hydrangeas can reach large proportions, around 5-6' in much of North America.

The botanical name of this plant is quite unique. It's known as "Solanum tuberosum".

One of its distinctive features is the presence of small, oval-shaped flowers that grow in clusters.

Bigleaf hydrangeas come in two main types: mophead and lacecap. The mophead type has large rounded flower heads made up of clusters of smaller uniform florets.

If you're looking for a cold-hardy option, consider the 'All Summer Beauty' mophead, which is known for its floriferous blooms. Another popular choice is the 'Nikko Blue' mophead, which is cold-hardy and produces pink to blue flowers.

Lacecap hydrangeas, on the other hand, produce flat-topped blooms with clusters of tiny fertile flowers surrounded by larger sterile sepals. The 'Blaumeise' lacecap is a great example of this type, with its "Teller" blue blooms.

Some popular mophead cultivars include 'Alpengluhen', which has deep-red coloured blooms, and 'Générale Vicomtesse de Vibraye', which is a compact, cold-hardy option with pink to blue blooms.

Here are some popular bigleaf hydrangea cultivars:

Bigleaf hydrangeas are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but some issues can arise. Bigleaf hydrangeas are prone to fungal and other diseases, including powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blight, and leaf spot.

To manage powdery mildew, select a resistant variety, such as Bloomstruck. Many of these pests can be managed with insecticidal soap.

Some common pests that can be a problem for bigleaf hydrangeas include aphids, black vine weevils, four-lined plant bugs, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.

Here are some common pests and diseases to look out for:

Bigleaf hydrangeas are prone to a range of pests and diseases, so it's essential to be aware of these potential issues.

Powdery mildew is a common problem that can be managed by selecting a resistant variety, such as Bloomstruck.

Some common pests that are attracted to hydrangeas include aphids, black vine weevils, four-lined plant bugs, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.

These pests can be managed with insecticidal soap.

Bigleaf hydrangeas need both sun and shade to grow, with morning sun and afternoon shade being ideal.

They rarely exceed six feet in height and width when mature, and require only minimal pruning to remove broken or dead stems or to improve airflow.

Here are some common pests and diseases to look out for:

Deer resistant plants can be a challenge to find, but some are more resistant than others. Bigleaf hydrangeas, for example, are not deer resistant and should be protected or substituted with other options.

Deer love to feast on the flower buds and blooms of bigleaf hydrangea, making it a high-risk target for these hungry animals.

Repellents can be a useful tool in protecting your plants, but they may not be 100% effective.

Planting bigleaf hydrangeas is best done in the summer or fall when the weather is cooler. This allows the plant to establish itself before the heat of summer or cold of winter.

Dig a hole that's about twice the width of the nursery container and just deep enough to fit the root ball. Water the plant deeply to get rid of any air pockets in the soil.

If you're planting multiple hydrangeas, space them about five feet apart. This will give them room to grow and receive adequate air circulation.

For landscaping, bigleaf hydrangeas can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:

These are just a few examples of how you can incorporate bigleaf hydrangeas into your landscape. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless!

Planting hydrangeas in the right spot is crucial for their health and blooming success. Plant them in a site that receives full sun to part shade.

Morning sun and some afternoon shade is ideal. This allows the plant to soak up the sun's rays while also protecting it from intense heat.

Too much sun can cause leaf scald, especially in hotter climates. This can be a real problem, so it's essential to find the right balance.

Too much shade, on the other hand, can result in fewer flowers. This is because hydrangeas need some direct sunlight to produce those beautiful blooms.

If you're planting multiple hydrangeas, space them about five feet apart. This will give them plenty of room to grow and thrive.

Planting in pots can be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, you can enjoy beautiful hydrangeas all season long. Use a bagged potting mix rather than garden soil to give your hydrangeas the best chance to thrive.

When choosing a pot, make sure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. I've seen plants suffer from root rot when the pot doesn't allow excess water to escape.

Mix in a slow-release fertilizer to give your hydrangeas a nutrient boost. This will help them grow strong and healthy, and produce plenty of beautiful blooms.

To ensure your hydrangeas have room to grow, choose a pot that's large enough. Leave 1 to 2 inches between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot for watering. This will give you enough space to water your plants without overflowing the pot.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when planting hydrangeas in pots:

Landscaping with bigleaf hydrangeas is a great way to add beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. These versatile plants can be used in a variety of ways to create a stunning landscape.

For borders and landscapes, bigleaf hydrangeas can be grown in mixed borders, foundation plantings, as hedging or screening, or as a stand-alone accent. This makes them a great choice for adding visual interest to your yard.

To control erosion on slopes and hillsides, mass any size bigleaf hydrangea along the slope. This will help stabilize the soil and prevent landslides.

Smaller bigleaf hydrangeas can be used in containers and placed along a pathway or entryway, on a deck or patio, or as a focal point in the landscape. This is a great way to add a pop of color to small outdoor spaces.

Here are some specific ideas for using bigleaf hydrangeas in your landscape:

By incorporating bigleaf hydrangeas into your landscape design, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that requires minimal maintenance.