Hydrangea Happiness in the Park

Our fair town is abloom with the ever-popular mop-head hydrangea this time of year. Grown happily in lots of sun, these mostly white, blue or pink beauties are blooming like crazy in yards across Severna Park. 

The last of the hydrangeas for sale at disappeared quickly as the stand ended up its annual flower sales last week.  "They are always a favorite," said employee Jenny Diehl. “They do well in our Maryland climate and thrive in the hot weather.”

And they are such stunners in our gardens.

Hydrangea hints: 

• Hydrangeas don’t like wet feet and prefer lots of room to spread and feel the sun’s rays as they grow.   
• Too much shade keeps them from blossoming profusely. They are tough little bushes and can be planted throughout the early summer into fall, but if it’s too cold in the spring, their developing buds can be stunted.
• Don’t plant hydrangeas too deep. Throw in some organic matter. It can only add to their happiness.
• Hydrangea colors, unlike most other flower shades, can be “changed.” For changing from pink to blue, add aluminum
  to the soil and vice versa for blue to pink. Some bushes, usually when first planted, can actually develop heads with a combination of colors as the bush becomes accustomed to the soil in which it is planted.
• Cutting hydrangeas for drying and display can be tricky. The blossoms that are fresh will wilt almost automatically, hardly ever drying well. Patience is a virtue here – leaving the blossoms on the bush, allowing them to dry naturally, will  have the best result. If you can hold off harvesting 'til late summer early fall, you will have stunning stems. August to October is best.

Take a drive around the Park today and peek at your neighbors' many hydrangeas. Better yet, plant some of your own favorite sweet summertime treats.