Bigleaf Hydrangea Macrophylla Care and Information

Bigleaf Hydrangea Macrophylla is a stunning flowering shrub that's perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your garden. It's a popular choice for its large, showy blooms that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter.

To grow Bigleaf Hydrangea Macrophylla, you'll want to choose a location with partial shade and rich, well-draining soil. This shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and can grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

Bigleaf Hydrangea Macrophylla requires regular watering, especially during its first year of growth. A consistent supply of moisture will help establish a strong root system and promote healthy growth.

This shrub is relatively low maintenance, but it does require occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage blooming. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or damaged branches.

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a popular ornamental plant native to Japan and the Philippines. It thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade.

This plant is known for its large, showy flowers that can be pink or blue, depending on the soil pH. Bigleaf hydrangea is a great choice for gardeners who want to add some drama to their outdoor spaces.

Bigleaf hydrangea can grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, making it a great option for hedges or screens.

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Bigleaf hydrangeas can grow quite large, reaching 5-6' in much of North America.

This size can make them difficult to manage, especially if you're looking to avoid pruning.

Fortunately, there are many compact varieties available that can thrive in smaller spaces without needing to be pruned.

Old-fashioned bigleaf hydrangeas often require pruning to control their height, which can result in the loss of flower buds.

Selecting a hydrangea with the right mature size for your site can help you avoid pruning altogether.

On a similar theme: Pruning Lacecap Hydrangea

To plant bigleaf hydrangea, loosen the soil in the planting area and amend it with compost or other rich organic matter. Dig a hole 2 to 3 times wider and the same depth as the root ball.

When planting in pots, use a bagged potting mix rather than garden soil and mix in a slow-release fertilizer. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and has room for the plant to grow.

Plant bigleaf hydrangea during milder weather in spring or fall to avoid shock from extreme heat or cold.

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Hydrangeas can grow quite large, reaching heights of 4 to 12 feet, depending on the variety.

It's essential to consider the mature height of the hydrangea when planting to ensure it has enough space to grow without overcrowding nearby plants.

Deciduous shrubs like bigleaf hydrangea have a bushy or compact growing habit, making them a great choice for smaller spaces.

However, some hydrangeas can spread out quite a bit, so it's crucial to leave enough space between plants for proper growth.

Bigleaf hydrangea is a multi-stemmed shrub, which means it will have multiple stems growing from the base, adding to its overall spread.

When planting bigleaf hydrangea, it's best to do so during milder weather in spring or fall to avoid shock from extreme heat or cold.

Loosen the soil in the planting area and amend it with compost or other rich organic matter. This will give your hydrangea a healthy start.

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

Remove the plant from its nursery container and loosen the roots if they're potbound. This is an important step to help the roots adjust to their new environment.

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, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.

Provide regular water until the plants are established. This will help them get a strong start and reduce the risk of shock.

Here are some tips for planting hydrangeas in pots:

Water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.

The ideal watering schedule varies depending on the climate and type of plant, but as a general rule, most plants need about 1-2 inches of water per week.

Make sure the soil has good drainage to prevent waterlogged soil, which can be detrimental to plant growth.

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Regular pruning can help maintain your plant's shape and promote healthy growth, removing any dead or diseased branches.

Fertilize your plants during the growing season, typically from spring to fall, to provide essential nutrients for growth and development.

Mulch around the base of your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Large showy flower heads of bigleaf hydrangea macrophylla are comprised of clusters of smaller florets and have a rounded or flat appearance.

Flower colors come in a range of hues, including pink, blue, white, purple, and red. Hydrangea macrophylla blooms can be solid, bicolored, or multi-colored, with single or double florets.

The foliage of bigleaf hydrangea is oval and pointed, with pronounced veining and serrated edges. It can be green or variegated.

Fall color is insignificant for bigleaf hydrangea.

When you're looking to add some greenery to your garden, it's essential to consider the height and spread of the plants. Bushy, compact, or dwarf habit plants are perfect for small spaces.

The height of these plants can vary greatly, ranging from 1 to 10 feet tall.

Some plants can grow quite wide, measuring 2 to 10 feet in width, depending on the specific variety.

Bloom Time can vary greatly depending on the variety of flowers you have in your garden. Some flowers bloom in early summer, while others bloom in the fall.

The exact timing of bloom time is often determined by the specific type of flower you're growing. For example, some varieties bloom in early summer to fall.

Bigleaf hydrangeas have large, showy flower heads that are comprised of clusters of smaller florets, giving them a rounded or flat appearance.

Flower colors range from pink to blue, with white, purple, and red also occurring. Hydrangea macrophylla blooms can be solid, bicolored, or multi-colored, with single or double florets.

The color of bigleaf hydrangea flowers can vary from blue to pink, depending on the soil, and even the presence of aluminum, a mineral that naturally occurs in many soils.

Bigleaf hydrangeas typically bloom on the previous year's growth, although newer reblooming varieties can flower on both old and new wood.

A fresh viewpoint: Blue Mophead Hydrangea

These flowers are long lasting in fresh or dried arrangements, making them a popular choice for bouquets and decorations.

The color of your hydrangeas will likely reflect the conditions of the soil they're planted in, so if you see blue hydrangeas in your neighborhood, your own hydrangeas may bloom blue as well.

In fact, commercial growing media often doesn't contain aluminum, which means that bigleaf hydrangeas purchased online or in a garden center will likely bloom pink unless specifically treated to bloom blue.

The foliage on this plant is quite striking. Green or variegated foliage is oval and pointed, with pronounced veining and serrated edges.

One of the notable characteristics of the foliage is its texture. Serrated edges are a distinctive feature that add to the plant's visual appeal.

As the seasons change, the foliage may take on a new hue. Fall color is insignificant, so don't expect a dramatic display of autumnal tones.

Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil to thrive. This type of soil helps prevent root rot and ensures the plant gets the right amount of water.

To achieve this, you can amend the native soil with compost or other rich organic matter. This will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Mulch is also essential, and you should apply several inches of bark or compost around the base of the plant. Reapply mulch each spring to keep the soil moist and weed-free.

For containers, use a high-quality all-purpose potting mix and add mulch on top. This will help retain moisture and provide a stable environment for the plant.

Water your bigleaf hydrangea regularly, providing about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. This can be adjusted depending on the climate and weather conditions.

If you're growing the plant in a container, be prepared to water more frequently, as the soil will dry out quickly.

Bigleaf hydrangea is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it's not immune to them. Pests that can affect bigleaf hydrangea include aphids, mites, scale, slugs, and snails.

One of the most common diseases is Cercospora leaf spot, which can be identified by purple margins and tan centers on the leaves. Cercospora leaf spot can be controlled by sprays every two weeks with chlorothalonil, thiophanate methyl, mancozeb, or myclobutanil.

Bigleaf hydrangea is also susceptible to anthracnose, which can cause larger necrotic areas on the leaves. Anthracnose can be controlled by sprays every two weeks with chlorothalonil or thiophanate methyl.

Powdery mildew is another disease that can affect bigleaf hydrangea, and it can be controlled by weekly sprays of 1% horticultural oil, or sprays every two weeks with thiophanate methyl or myclobutanil.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they do require some care to thrive.

To keep your bigleaf hydrangea looking its best, it's best to prune it minimally, especially when it's young. Heavy pruning can result in the loss of flowers.

After the blooming season, remove spent blooms and lightly shape the plant as needed. Cut branches back to just above a healthy set of leaves, removing any dead or diseased growth.

In the summer, prune your bigleaf hydrangea after it finishes blooming and strong new shoots have developed from the base of the plant. Remove weak shoots, cutting them at the base.

You should avoid pruning bigleaf hydrangeas entirely, as it can negatively impact flowering either during the current season or the following one. Even if you have a reblooming bigleaf hydrangea, treat it as a strictly old wood blooming type and avoid pruning it.

In cold climates, prune off any dead wood just above where new growth can be seen once it begins to appear on the stems. This will help keep your plant healthy and thriving.

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Bigleaf hydrangea macrophylla comes in two main types: mophead and lacecap. Mophead hydrangea, also known as hortensia, is characterized by large rounded flower heads.

These clusters are made up of smaller uniform florets. This variety produces showy flowers that are perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden.

Lacecap hydrangea, on the other hand, produces flat topped blooms. Clusters of tiny fertile flowers are surrounded by larger sterile sepals on this type of hydrangea.

The unique shape and structure of lacecap hydrangea blooms make them a great choice for adding texture and interest to your garden.

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Bigleaf hydrangeas are susceptible to deer damage, especially when it comes to the delectable flower buds and blooms.

Deer love to munch on bigleaf hydrangea, so it's essential to provide protection or use a repellent to keep them away.

If you live in an area with deer, consider substituting bigleaf hydrangeas with other more deer-resistant plants.

Bigleaf hydrangeas contain a toxic compound called hydrangin, which is toxic to pets and children if ingested.

If your pet or child has ingested any part of the plant, contact your doctor, veterinarian, or poison control center right away.

To keep your furry friends safe, avoid bringing freshly cut or dried hydrangea flowers indoors if your pet is prone to chewing on plants.

Deer can be a real nuisance in gardens, and some plants are more susceptible to damage than others. Bigleaf hydrangeas are especially vulnerable to deer, with the flower buds and blooms being a major target.

Deer find the flowers and buds of bigleaf hydrangeas particularly tasty, which makes them a magnet for deer.

Providing protection or using repellents can help deter deer from your bigleaf hydrangeas, but it's not a foolproof solution.

Bigleaf hydrangeas contain a toxic compound called hydrangin, which can be poisonous to pets and children if ingested.

This toxin is a cyanogenic glycoside, a type of chemical that's particularly hazardous to young animals and small children.

If you suspect your pet or child has eaten any part of the plant, it's essential to contact your doctor, veterinarian, or a poison control center right away.

Freshly cut or dried hydrangea flowers should be avoided indoors if you have pets that tend to chew on plants.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are cold tolerant to USDA zone 5 and heat tolerant through USDA zone 9. This means they can thrive in a wide range of climates.

Their native habitat in mild coastal regions of Japan is a big reason why they're often associated with seaside areas in North America. I've seen them do beautifully in coastal gardens.

While they can survive in USDA zone 5, the problem is that the flower buds can be damaged by cold, resulting in no flowers for the year. This is a common issue in colder climates.

Planting them in a protected location can make a huge difference in their success. I recommend planting on the east side of your home or surrounding them with walls or other structures to shield them from harsh winds and weather.

In hot climates, it's essential to plant them in a spot that receives complete shade during the hottest part of the day. This will keep the plant happy and stress-free.

Bigleaf hydrangeas are incredibly versatile, and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your landscape.

They can be grown in mixed borders, foundation plantings, as hedging or screening, or as a stand-alone accent. You can also use them to help control erosion on slopes and hillsides by massing them along the slope.

Here are some specific ways to use bigleaf hydrangeas in your landscape:

By incorporating bigleaf hydrangeas into your landscape design, you can add beauty, interest, and functionality to your outdoor space.

When choosing a spot for your bigleaf hydrangea, consider the amount of sunlight it will receive. Too much sun can cause leaf scald, especially in hotter climates.

Plant your bigleaf hydrangea in a site that receives full sun to part shade. Morning sun and some afternoon shade is ideal.

Avoid planting in areas with extreme heat or cold, as this can cause shock to the plant.

When designing your garden, it's essential to consider the versatility of bigleaf hydrangeas. Bigleaf hydrangeas can be grown in mixed borders, foundation plantings, as hedging or screening, or as a stand-alone accent.

For borders and landscapes, bigleaf hydrangea can be used as a background plant in a mixed border, or as edging. This is especially true for smaller types of bigleaf hydrangeas.

Plant a medium or larger variety as hedging along a fence or to screen a property line, or use a smaller variety as low hedging to divide garden rooms. This can help create a sense of separation without blocking the view.

A smaller variety can be planted along a pathway for summer-long color, or mass several specimens in a bed for extended low-maintenance color. Bigleaf hydrangeas can also be used in containers on paved terraces.

Some popular options for bigleaf hydrangea varieties include:

By incorporating bigleaf hydrangeas into your garden design, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance space that provides year-round interest and color.

Want to become a hydrangea expert? Our team of gardeners is standing by to help!

Bigleaf hydrangea macrophylla is a popular choice for gardeners, and for good reason - it produces large, showy flowers that can grow up to 12 inches in diameter.

To grow bigleaf hydrangeas, you'll want to provide them with partial shade and well-draining soil.

Bigleaf hydrangeas can thrive in a range of soil types, but they do prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.

With the right care, bigleaf hydrangeas can grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide.