ri702bill 8,319 #1 Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) All: We have the Hydrangea in full bloom in front of the house. Not exactly the kind you see at nursuries in a 5 gallon plastic pail. This one is over 100 years old and higher than my front porch roof. Lost one of the trunks years ago due to insects and wind. It is ALIVE with a hundred or so buzzing bees, the blooms will turn a crimson brown before they fall. I'm no Arborist, just a homeowner with a hedge trimmer and a telescoping pruner we call Cyndi (Cyndi Lopper !!) to keep it shaped.. Bill Edited August 18, 2022 by ri702bill 7 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,315 #2 Posted August 18, 2022 Nice one! We have one here as well that I need to trim back some. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex175 784 #3 Posted August 18, 2022 I have one like that, though not quite as mature or tall. Mine stands about 7' high without the season growth at the moment, but it's nowhere as neatly manicured as yours is. I need to do some more research on how to really properly maintain it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,319 #4 Posted August 18, 2022 The hedges in the pictures get trimmed about every 2 weeks from May to September. If the hydrangea needs a touck-up, it gets it.... Really not a lot of trouble until the blooms fall... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,170 #5 Posted August 18, 2022 3 hours ago, ri702bill said: crimson brown before they fall Are the new blossoms always white? Mine varies from pink to blue depending on the amount of horse manure I feed it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,319 #6 Posted August 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Sparky said: Nice one! We have one here as well that I need to trim back some. Mike: Unlike the rhodedrons we have which can only be trimmed twice a year, the hydrangea can be trimmed almost all year - not advised after a snowfall though... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,319 #7 Posted August 18, 2022 Ed - yup, these are always a pale white. Remember, this one is over a century old - almost all of the old ones I have see online are the same - perhaps before cross-breeding and food coloring...!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex175 784 #8 Posted August 19, 2022 21 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Are the new blossoms always white? Mine are all white like this as well. 21 hours ago, ri702bill said: perhaps before cross-breeding and food coloring...!! My understanding is the big thing that can have an effect on the color of the petals is mostly the PH balance of the soil, which would explain why Ed's changes depending on the amount of fertilizer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex175 784 #9 Posted August 23, 2022 Finally got around to taking a picture of mine. Please excuse the mess, I haven't had a chance to do any weeding or yard work in a while, between throwing out my back and then covid I was KO's for almost 6 weeks and was barely able to do the basics like mowing let alone weeding and trimming. I hope in a few more decades mine can stand nice and tall like yours @ri702bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,319 #10 Posted August 23, 2022 @Alex175 Pretty wnen they are in full bloom. Yours is in a nice spot - full access for trimming / shaping and it is in an area that gets decent sun. As you have seen with mine, we actually walk under the canopy to cut the grass and get to the front steps and the mailboxes. 34 minutes ago, Alex175 said: in a few more decades mine can stand nice and tall like yours @ri702bill Maybe a few more than a few decades !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
