Shrub (deciduous)
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Bloom colour on mophead types can be shifted by soil pH, and pruning timing depends entirely on which type you have.
| Light | Morning sun, afternoon shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular; the name comes from its thirst |
| Spacing | 1-2 m depending on variety |
| Zones | Zones 5-9 |
| Harvest | N/A — ornamental; cut flowers as blooms fully open |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Know your bloom type before pruning
Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas bloom on last year's wood — prune right after flowering, not in spring, or you remove next year's buds. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be pruned in late winter.
Soil pH and flower colour
On macrophylla types, acidic soil (pH below 6) produces blue flowers by making aluminium available to the plant; alkaline soil produces pink. White varieties do not change.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- BasilThe most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.