Mary Mae’s Garden Notes: On Hydrangea

Written By Emily Yochim

The official first day of spring is just a week away, and so we’ve been getting our hands back in the garden, enjoying the sunshine even on the colder days. As we dig in, we thought we’d start sharing some of our best gardening notes with you.

Today, we’re thinking about Macrophylla Hydrangea. These are the hydrangea with large, oval leaves and mophead (large, round clusters) or lacecap (flat-topped with petals surrounding a central cluster) blooms ranging from blue to pink. Endless Summer is one common variety, but there are many.

If you’ve ever had one of these that grow big, healthy leaves but barely bloom in the summer, the issue isn’t usually the plant - it’s the spring weather that we have here in Zone 6. Since Macrophylla Hydrangea set their flower buds in the previous fall, a late spring frost can easily damage their blooms before the season even starts. 

Here’s a few tips to help them out: 

  • Don’t prune in early spring. These hydrangea bloom on old wood, and pruning in the spring removes those flower buds. Only remove stems that are obviously dead.

  • Keep an eye on the forecast. Warm March and April weather can wake the buds up early. If a frost is forecasted, cover the plant overnight with frost cloth, burlap, or an old sheet. Be sure to remove it in the morning when the temperatures rise. 

  • Don’t rush to remove winter protection. If you wrapped or mulched your hydrangea last fall, leave it there a little longer to protect in case of a late cold snap. If you didn’t add any mulch last fall, add a 2-3 inch layer now to stabilize soil temps and protect the roots.

  • Be patient. These shrubs can be slow to leaf out in our climate. They may look dormant in April but will bloom beautifully in June. 

Once you understand what they need in our climate, hydrangea can be one of the most rewarding shrubs in the garden! Their blooms are gorgeous in both cottage gardens and more formal settings. 

If you need help choosing hydrangeas that perform well in Northwest PA, or if you’d like help planning your garden this season, call us! 814-790-2757


Emily Yochim