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Hydrangeas enjoy a regular fertilizing schedule

A good slow (timed) release applied 1-2 times a year will keep them happy. In zones 6-8, fertilize in May and July. For zones 5 and further north, one good fertilizing in June will work due to the shorter growing season. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label. Don't apply fertilize if the plant is wilted or looks otherwise not happy.

Take care of the problem and then apply fertilize.The different varieties of hydrangeas require specific pruning times or blooms for the following year may be lost. Regardless of the variety always remove any dead or broken stems/branches. As the plants age and become mature, prune out about 1/3 of the stems/branches back to ground level. This will keep the shrubs looking healthy.Pruning hydrangeas Oakleaf Varieties: Plant 3-4 feet apart. Prune back to about 18-24 inches tall. This plant blooms on old wood and can be pruned back any time after blooming up until mid/late summer.

Limelight, Pee Gee and other Paniculatas: Blooms during mid/late summer and can be pruned during fall/winter or early spring. (Blooms on new wood) As the plant ages, Paniculata blooms often turn a pinkish shade.Forever Pink, Nikko Blue and other macrophyllas: Prune these varieties in summer (after blooming), but before August. By August, they may have already set their buds for blooming the following year much like azaleas and rhododendrons. They bloom on the old wood, which means the new growth produced after they have completed their blooming in late spring/early summer

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Climbing Hydrangea: Plant growth will be improved by adding organic matter such as aged manure/compost to the soil. Not a fast grower and takes several years to establish after planting. Because it is a vine type plant, other than pruning out any dead branches that are reachable, not much is required to keep it looking good.

Changing the hydrangea flower color: A lot of people send in questions on how to change the bloom color of their hydrangea plants. A white blooming hydrangea will not change to pink or blue no matter what is done to the soil. Although as the white bloomer ages, often the blooms will take on a pinkish shade. In warmer climates, a red hydrangea doesn't usually produce a true red color.

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