Soil For Hydrangea
![Simple Living In Nancy Growing Colourful Hydrangea In My Garden](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gpgLvMP0Ga8/SfcTX74ZGqI/AAAAAAAABIQ/Rgtrqw1zBik/s400/billlow.jpg)
Hydrangeas will produce blue or purple flowers in acidic soil where more aluminum is present.
Soil for hydrangea. The acidity of the soil or ph level can affect bloom color in bigleaf hydrangea varieties with blue flowers resulting from acidic soils and pink flowers growing in alkaline soils. This hydrangea tolerates dry soil better than the others. But panicle hydrangea soil can also be droughty. Plant the hydrangea at the same level that it was in its original pot that is don t plant it deeper or higher than it was already growing.
As a result of these moisture requirements they thrive in areas that receive morning sunlight and then afternoon shade. Clay and silt hold moisture well but resist water infiltration especially when they are dry. The lower the ph the bluer the flowers. Hydrangea planting should be performed in spring once the threat of frost has passed.
Clay and silt soils are made of very small particles. With panicle hydrangea hydrangea paniculata or smooth hydrangea hydrangea arborescens soil can also tend toward the moist side as long as it drains well. You can find many organic fertilizers such as bark compost and leaves. If you have clay like soil you might want to add some shredded leaves or compost to your soil.
If you don t already live in an area where the soil is acidic making soil acidic will involve adding products that lower the soil ph. Water thoroughly after planting. This is especially true for the bigleaf hydrangeas. Often puddles form on clay or silt soils and they easily become compacted.
Add aluminum sulfate or sulfur to increase acidity. In neutral soil hydrangeas take up less aluminum and the flowers are pink. Amending the soil with compost prior to planting is helpful. For gardeners growing an acid loving plant like blue hydrangea or azalea learning how to make soil acidic is important to its overall health.
They feel slick and sticky when wet. Gently firm the soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Add compost to enrich poor soil. The best soil for hydrangeas is a rich well drained moist soil all the time.
While they can be grown in a wide range of soils hydrangeas typically prefer rich moist soil that drains easily. Use a good quality potting soil with organic matter not ordinary garden soil. These items can boost the nutrient levels within the soil and help it retain moisture. The water level requirements are a bit tricky insofar as they require moist soil at all times but not wet.
Hydrangeas like soil that is light and drains well. They prefer full sun in the morning with some afternoon shade.