Hydrangea
Truly unique Hydrangea: rather than flowering only on the top of the stem, its flowers will pop-up along the entire branch and Frozen Smoothie will continue to produce new flowers until the first frost. The large lace-cap flowers are either pink (neutral / alkaline soil) or lavender blue (acidic soil). The vibrant autumn foliage colours add another interest to this wonderful plant.
.svg?1759999586){kind=small}
.svg?1759999586){kind=small}
For most shrubs, autumn is a good time to plant them. It gives your plant a chance to take root and start growing ‘in line with the seasons’. Early spring is a good alternative.
If you plant it in summer, be aware that the plant is not yet well rooted and therefore needs regular watering, especially during hot & dry periods.
Below you will find detailed instructions on how to plant your shrub.
1. Look at the label that comes with the plant or search for your plant on our website. Here you can see what light exposure the plant needs. This determines whether you should look for a sunny, semi-shady or shady spot for your plant.
2. Make sure the plant's root ball is moist before you plant it (e.g. immerse it in a bucket of water).
3. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot, but about 2-3 times as wide.
4. Mix the soil that came out of the hole with some mixed garden soil (you can buy this at a garden centre).
5. Scoop the soil at the bottom of the hole a few times to make it nice and airy.
6. Carefully remove the pot from the plant.
7. Loosen the root system. You do this by running your fingers between the roots to loosen them. This is very important and ensures that the plant takes root properly.
8. Place the plant in the centre of the hole with the top of the root ball just above the surface.
9. Fill the hole with the mixed garden soil and press the soil around the plant firmly with your hands.
10. Water the plant.
11. Apply a 5-7 cm layer of mulch (soil litter), but keep the branches or trunk clear.
This plant has an average water requirement. Once the plant is well established in the soil, it can tolerate drier periods.
This plant makes most flower buds on last year's wood (new flower buds form on the branches that grew in the previous season). If you prune this plant in spring, you will get fewer flowers in summer. In spring, however, you can tidy up this plant by pruning away the old flowers.
Does the plant get too big after a few years? Then prune the plant in spring. That summer you will have fewer flowers, but the following summers the plant will flower abundantly again.
The colour of this flower depends on the pH value of the soil.
To get a pink flower colour, this plant needs alkaline soil. If your soil is neutral or acidic, add fertilisers that increase the pH value, such as lime.
To obtain a blue flower colour, this plant requires acidic soil. If the soil is neutral or alkaline, regularly add acidic fertiliser such as garden sulphur with aluminium to lower the pH of the soil.
Check the fertiliser packaging for the correct dosage and application period.
This deciduous Proven Winners® plant is hardy. The plant loses its leaves and goes into hibernation and therefore needs little care in winter. The degree of winter hardiness does depend on the conditions in which the plant grows and the period. In spring frosts, this plant is vulnerable because it may have sprouted by then.
