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Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla ( syn. H. hortensis)
Family: HydrangeaceaeOther species are also grown in cooler climates. This page deals with Hydrangea macrophylla, the main type grown in Queensland.
These are classic shrubs for old-fashioned gardens, but whether the average gardener in subtropical SE Qld can supply the cool and moist conditions required for them to thrive in these days of water restrictions, global warming and tiny gardens infested with tree roots and surrounded by brick and concrete, is another matter. Has anyone had success with them as container subjects over the long term?
Hydrangeas are famous for their ability to change colour. While alkaline soils will increase the tendancy to pink, acid soils will increase the tendancy to blue. Check out the links for more information on this and other aspects of hydrangea culture.
Where to buy Hydrangea plants
While garden centres may have hydrangea for sale from time to time, if you're interested in collecting or just want a particular named cultivar, you may have to look for nurseries speciallising in temperate-climate plants. In Qld, that may be the cooler parts of the state, or interstate mail-order suppliers.If you operate a nursery that that can supply hydrangea plants to Qld, especially hard-to-find or named varieties, or if you manufacture blueing agents etc., you can advertise here. Information about advertising
More Online Information
The following links are for general information, research and ideas - some species or cultivars may be unavailable in Australia
All about hydrangeas A very informative site by an American enthusiast
Growing hydrangeas Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture
Hydrangeas by Kerry Smith Auburn University, Alabama, USA
Growing Bigleaf Hydrangea University of Georgia, USA
Hydrangea Popular, Yet Confusing Purdue University
Hydrangea Care Filioli Estate, near San Francisco (PDF)
When the flowers are gone, it's time to prune gardenias and hydrangeas University of Florida
Fertilizer Burn (Hydrangea) Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University
Iron Chlorosis - Hydrangea Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University
Commercial Hydrangea Forcing (has some good technical information about colour control) North Carolina State University
The Lakeland Horticultural Society Windermere, UK. They maintain a National Plant Collection of Hydrangea at Holehird Gardens. Check out the picture gallery.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nigra' U.S. National Arboretum, USA
Hydrangea macrophylla (PDF) at the Australian Weeds and Livestock website, NSW (discusses toxicity of weeds and other plants to animals)
Notes on poisoning: Hydrangea macrophylla Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System
