Hydrangeas are not only suitable as magnificent individual perennials, with which you can turn bare spots under sparse trees into an attractive garden highlight. As a bedding plant, the robust hydrangea impresses with its long flowering period and the romantic charm of the magnificent umbels. In this article we explain how to create a hydrangea bed.
The clever combination of different flower colors turns the hydrangea bed into a real eye-catcher
planning and preparation
Autumn is the best time to plant hydrangeas. Alternatively, you can design the hydrangea bed in spring. Since the freshly planted hydrangeas are still somewhat sensitive and could be damaged by late frosts, it is advisable to wait for the ice saints to do this.
location
Hydrangeas prefer semi-shady or shady locations. Since it is difficult to shade several plants in a bed in the summer heat, we advise against a full sun location for the hydrangea bed.
planting distance
Since hydrangeas can reach a stately size and are reluctant to be moved, you should create the bed in a place where the hydrangea can spread. The older the plants get, the more beautiful and magnificent the hydrangea usually blooms. The following distances should not be undercut:
- Peasant Hydrangeas: Fifty centimeters
- Panicle Hydrangea: One metre
soil condition
Hydrangeas prefer slightly acidic, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. Calcareous soils, on the other hand, do not like these garden beauties. In addition, the substrate should be able to store water well, since the hydrangea is not only very thirsty in the hot summer months.
The topsoil often does not meet these requirements. In this case, replace the soil with special hydrangea soil. Alternatively, you can also use bog, rhododendron or azalea soil.
Avoid waterlogging
Sometimes the deeper layers of the earth are compacted, so that water can no longer drain well. This creates waterlogging, to which the hydrangea reacts very sensitively. In this case, place a drainage layer of coarse sand or gravel in the bed and then fill it with soil.
Inexpensive alternative to buying - self-propagation
If you need a lot of perennials for the hydrangea bed, this can be quite expensive. Hydrangeas can easily be propagated by cuttings. With this method, you can not only use the planting for a uniform bed planting yourself, but also combine many different flower colors with each other. Due to the different flowering times and tones, such a planting looks extremely interesting.
tips
A hydrangea bed in which you combine the hydrangea with other shade plants is extremely attractive. Lily of the valley, hostas or ferns, for example, are well suited.