When do hydrangeas usually bloom?
The article introduces the blooming period of hydrangeas and related content about green plants, follow the editor to see the specific details!
How long is the blooming period of hydrangeas?
The blooming season of hydrangeas begins in the transition between spring and summer, with the peak blooming period throughout the summer and sometimes extending into autumn and early winter. Sometimes when one flower fades, another bud forms, making the blooming period quite long. Some gardeners even have hydrangea flowers still on the branches when it snows in winter. Overall, hydrangeas have a relatively long blooming period, which is why one of the most common varieties is called "Endless Summer," as if summer never ends.
The blooming season of hydrangeas is quite distinct and follows natural rules, unlike others such as roses or chrysanthemums, which can bloom all year round with artificial intervention. Hydrangeas generally form buds in spring and prepare to bloom in late spring and early summer. The peak blooming period is throughout the summer and then continues into autumn or early winter.
The blooming period of a single hydrangea flower, from the bud preparing to color to the flower completely fading, can last for about a month. This is a common and regular situation, but with good care, the blooming period can be extended. However, if there's no timely watering or proper shading during the hot summer, the blooming period will be significantly shortened.
Although a single flower's blooming period is a month, a hydrangea plant does not just bloom one flower; it may bloom as many flowers as there are branches. Not all flowers bloom at the same time; some bloom earlier, some later, and some buds form during the blooming process. Therefore, cumulatively, the blooming period of hydrangeas can last for several months.
How many times do hydrangeas bloom in a year is also a question of concern. Like roses, with good care, they can bloom almost all year round (except for some one-season flowers), for example, crinums can bloom twice in spring and autumn. Most hydrangea varieties bloom only once a year, except for "Endless Summer," which can bloom twice in a year.
This is because "Endless Summer" is the fastest-growing and strongest variety. It is the first to sprout when spring warms up, and with its rapid growth and strong momentum, it also blooms the earliest. Since it blooms the earliest, it also fades the earliest. By pruning the faded flowers in time, it can sprout new branches again. Due to its rapid growth, it can form flower buds in a short time and bloom again in autumn. All this is thanks to the rapid growth and strong momentum of "Endless Summer," which is why it is always said that both new and old branches of "Endless Summer" can bloom, and this is the fundamental reason.
"Endless Summer" can bloom so frequently partly due to its own characteristics, but human care is also very important. During rapid growth and bud formation, it cannot lack water or fertilizer; otherwise, the nutrients will not be sufficient, and all efforts will be in vain.
When do hydrangeas usually bloom?
Hydrangea care after blooming
After the hydrangea flowers fade, the残花 should be cut off. On one hand, faded flowers are unsightly, and on the other hand, they consume more nutrients, so it's better to save the nutrients for the growth of the branches. When the branches are well-grown, there's no need to worry about subsequent blooming.
① When to prune faded flowers?
In summer or early autumn, pruning should be done as soon as the flowers fade.
Since most hydrangea varieties can only bloom on old branches (branches that grew the previous year and will bloom the next year), the pruning time should not be too late. It should be completed before August or September each year. Pruning too late will result in branches that don't have enough time for bud differentiation, leading to late or even no blooming the next year.
For "Endless Summer" hydrangeas, the tolerance for pruning is much higher; just剪掉 the残花 promptly after they fade.
② How to prune faded flowers?
How to prune? How much to cut? There is no fixed rule. If the branch is too long, more leaves can be cut; if the branch is not long enough, just cut off the flower. However, never cut it all the way down to the base near the soil, as this is called severe pruning. Especially in summer and early autumn, severe pruning can cause the plant to become dormant or even die. The reason is that the temperature is still high, and the sun is strong. Hydrangeas need green leaves for photosynthesis to maintain their growth. If all the leaves are cut, the plant may become dormant or even die.
If you really don't know how to prune, then cut off the flower and the pair of leaves below it.
Hydrangea fertilization after blooming can quickly replenish the nutrients lost due to flowering, allowing the branches to receive nutritional supplements and store them, providing nutrients for rejuvenation and germination. If the hydrangea is strong enough, it will naturally form flower buds and bloom in the spring of the following year.
① When to fertilize after blooming?
It is known that during the blooming period of hydrangeas, we do not fertilize because we are afraid that fertilizing will shorten the blooming period. However, after the entire blooming period is over, fertilizing is needed. Therefore, fertilization after hydrangea blooming refers to fertilization after the entire blooming period, not just after a single flower fades and is pruned.
② What fertilizer to apply after blooming?
After the hydrangea flowers fade, a general compound fertilizer is usually applied to replenish various elements and rejuvenate the plant. Then, before winter, in late autumn, another application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate is applied. At this time, potassium dihydrogen phosphate is not to promote flowering but to supplement potassium elements, making the roots and branches stronger to resist the cold winter and improve the cold resistance of hydrangeas.
Hydrangea transplantation after blooming is generally in autumn or early winter, which is a good time to transplant or move the hydrangea to a new location.
As mentioned in the previous article, it is best to plant hydrangeas in the autumn of the previous year. Throughout the winter, they have enough time to adapt to the environment and grow their roots deeper into the soil. By the next spring, with the warm weather, they will only need to sprout and form flower buds.