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cristinaindc

What kind is it?

cristinaindc
9 years ago

Hi,
I purchased this beautiful dark blue hydrangea at Costco, the label just says hydrangea. The colors are light blue and green and dark blue. One of the flowers is huge. Does anyone know what it could be called?
Thanks
Cristina

Comment (1)

  • luis_pr
    9 years ago

    It is a Hydrangea Macrophylla planted in very acidic soil but I do not know of the exact variety. You can take care of unnamed hydrangeas as you would any other mophead. Probably not a rebloomer but maybe a Merrit Series Macrophylla so it will develop invisible flower buds in July-August (in TX, they develop around mid July; in DC, they may develop later).

    In case DC is not your location, provide winter protection in Zone 5. Maybe consider it for Zone 6 since it is being planted in the middle of the growing season. Leave it in bright shade before planting so the leaves get accustomed and so they transition to more sunlight without damage (or little). Select a location that provides morning sun and afternoon shade (or dappled sun). Mulch well with 3-4" of organic mulch; check the amt of mulch and add more quarterly or as needed.

    Water the soil (1 gallon of water) early in the mornings when a finger inserted to a depth of 4" feels almost dry or dry. Do not water the leaves to minimize the chances of getting fungal infections in the leaves. Once temperatures go down in the fall, you can water less often but stop watering if the soil freezes.

    Dispose of faded&spent blooms this year so the plant will concentrate on developing a good root system. In future years, you can leave the blooms to add winter interest.

    The plant's soil mix probably contains those round fertilizer pellets so no need to fertilize this year. In future years, give it about 1/2 to 1 cup of cottonseed meal or organic compost in Spring. Coffee grounds, liquid seaweed and liquid fish can all be used during the growing season but stop using fertilizers around July so the plant will go dormant at the proper time.

    Watch out for wilting in the summer months during the first few years. Wilting is fine as long as the soil is moist (not wet) and as long as the leaves recover on their own by nightfall or by the morning.

    In case of an extreme wilting episode, give it 1/2 gallon of water right away. On "normal" wilting episodes, check the soil to see if needs more water and either leave the plant alone if the soil is moist or add 1 gallon if the soil is dry or almost dry. Once it becomes established, the wilting episodes will be reduced.

    Luis