Dear Hydrangea Enthusiasts,

 

Welcome

Welcome to the August 2013 edition of the Hydrangeas Plus® e-mail newsletter.  Yes, it is almost September so with kids going back to school and soccer, dance, piano, I may as well just call this the September newsletter, too.  But no, I will do the September one as well.  I must!  Lots of good stuff happening this month and next so definitely would like to share with you.

 

A quick note, we are in between crops right now but hopefully, will have most of all we sell back in stock for the fall in one size or another.  Planting in fall is a fabulous time to plant shrubs and trees in most areas.  Just be sure that the plants have enough time before the hard frost to get the roots established.  After leaf drop, a layer of garden mulch will keep those roots growing well.  Email me if you’d like to be notified when a certain plant is back in stock and ready to ship or if you have any questions about fall planting.

 

What’s happening at Hydrangeas Plus®

It is hot!  I don’t remember a summer we didn’t ship so many days.  Temperatures were 85 to 90 degrees last month and August is no different.  People are loving this weather!  Hydrangeas – ah, not so much.  Water, water and more water!  But the new crop is growing and looking great.  

 

Open fall dates set

We will be open for retail sales September 6th, 7th & 8th.  Hours are set for noon to 4pm but check the website before you venture out to our place.  Soccer season is upon us, sorry if I have to change a little.

 

Hydrangeas for sale – fall shipping only.

I have a limited number of overstocked starter hydrangeas.  I’ve listed some of the 1-year plants that need to find some good homes.  Buy one, get one free!  (must be purchased in multiples of 2 – no mix and matching).  These may need to be over-wintered in a protected area.  Roots may not have enough time to get established before winter.  Here is a list


Please specify variety (in special instructions area at checkout) and you will get two of that selection for the price of one.
Choose from this list only...
Ayesha
Bodensee
Garten Baudirektor Kuhnert
Hamburg
La France
Midori-Boshi Temari
Mueke
Otaksa
Penny Mac
Red Star

 

Limited time only and subject to change due to inventory.  Check on the site often because I will add more plants as they become available.  Shipping may be done via USPS Priority Mail on 1-year plant orders only.  Follow this link http://hydrangeasplus.com/32/ for specials.

 

Common questions – Blooms lacking and pruning, shipping in the fall, and transplanting established hydrangeas

I have received some fabulous questions over the last few months that I would like to share with you.  Maybe you have the same question, maybe something similar.  Enjoy!

 

Q  I have two hydrangea macrophylla blaumeise. I have had them for approximately 3-4 yrs. they have never bloomed. I do NOT prune them, they are in sun/shade. I have read and re-read on the Internet how to care for them and it is totally confusing regarding do they bloom off old wood or new? How and when to prune. We leave 1st of October for Fl. So I am not here in the winter. Would appreciate any/all advise you could offer. your website is very impressive that is why i decided to ask you the questions?

 

A  First, let me give you thoughts about the not-blooming.  Are they possibly in too much shade?  Hydrangeas really do need some sun to bloom well.  They don't like full sun or the hot sun but morning or late afternoon is good.

Do they die back to the ground every year?  This variety blooms on old wood, meaning that the growth from this year will set buds next year.  Blaumeise and all the Teller hydrangeas bloom on old wood so if the old wood doesn't survive, you won't get blooms.

Too much fertilizing could also be the cause.  Hydrangeas bloom better if they are a little stressed.  I usually fertilize once with a balanced, time-released fertilizer in March and then wait to fertilize again when buds start to form.

Pruning is tricking but one rule always helps.  Always cut on the green stems.  You can cut anytime now until September.  If you prune now, you will get lots of good growth before they go dormant for winter.  Do they need to be pruned?  Now is a good time to prune for size, since you haven't pruned them before.  Fertilize again after pruning but no later than August 15th.  You don't want too much nitrogen in the plant for winter.  It increases the chance of freeze damage.

 

If it dies back to the ground, you'll see no new growth from the oldest canes, just from the base.  That may be what is happening if all you see is woody stems with no green growth on them.  You can cut that old woody growth out of the plant at any time.

It may be your cold winters that are killing the old wood.  Covering them in the winter would be a great help to getting blooms next summer.

Q  I would like to order hydrangeas, however, I do not want them until fall. What is the best way to do this as I do want them just need a later ship date. I can pay for them now and you can ship later in the fall.

A  Order anytime and specify the fall ship date you would like.  I think I have plenty but it is always a good idea to order early.

We don't ship in pots so have the area prepared before we ship or have some containers waiting. We ship on Mondays, Tuesdays and can do Wednesday (on the west coast) if that works better for you. 

Q  Can "adult" hydrangeas be moved successfully? I failed with a previous attempt. I have two that should be moved to enhance their beauty, as well as the beauty of the plants around them. Pls advise if there is a proven method. And when would be best? Fall or spring?

A  I have always preferred the fall to move larger hydrangeas.  They will need lots of water and mother nature helps us with that. 
Be sure you get a good portion of the roots too.  The roots usually don't go very deep but they can be wide, almost as wide as the branching system itself.

 

 

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Sincerely,

Kristin VanHoose

Hydrangeas Plus®

http://www.hydrangeasplus.com