Ever since I started my gardening journey, everything has come easily and, surprisingly, quite naturally to me…except fertilizing. Yeah…that’s where I always seem to mess up.
Out of all the plants I’ve grown in my garden, hydrangeas have by far been the most challenging to fertilize right. However, now that I’ve figured things out, I thought why not help fellow gardeners fertilize their hydrangeas the right way as well.
Let’s dive right into the good stuff, shall we?
And, if you’re as passionate as me about hydrangea, you’ll also enjoy reading these 10 things every Hydrangea owner need to know!
But, Wait, Why Does Fertilizing Hydrangeas Even Matter?
Well, for starters, every plant needs some level of fertilization to grow to its fullest potential.
Fertilizing hydrangeas matters because the perennial needs essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium to grow and be able to produce flowers efficiently.
Common Signs Your Hydrangea Needs Fertilizer
When Should I Fertilize My Hydrangeas?
Although “ideal” fertilization times can vary depending on the specific variety you’re working with, I’d say for most people early spring and, if needed, an additional mid-season feeding will work best.
Try your best to avoid late-season fertilizing as it can encourage weak fall growth.
How Often Should I Fertilize My Hydrangeas?
Many people like to think fertilization is an everyday thing and should be done consistently to keep the gains. However, that simply isn’t true and will only backfire in the form of overfertilization and root damage.
Typically, once or twice per season works best for most hydrangea varieties.
However, frequency can also depend on the type of fertilizer used.
Choosing The Right Fertilizer!
For Bigleaf (Macrophylla) Hydrangeas
Bigleaf hydrangeas can actually change their color based on the pH of the fertilizer used. A fertilizer that offers a slightly lower pH (acidic) will result in blue flowers, whereas a higher pH (alkaline) will produce pink blooms.
I’d recommend using a balanced fertilizer blend that contains adequate amounts of all important nutrients. You can also try a bloom-boosting formula for hydrangeas specifically.
Learn more here about how to change the color of your hydrangeas.
For Panicle, Smooth, & Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Unfortunately, these hydrangea varieties don’t change color based on soil pH.
A general-purpose or low-nitrogen fertilizer will work best for these.
Keep in mind that some varieties may have slightly different preferences in terms of environmental conditions or temperature. E.g. Panicle hydrangeas are typically more sun and heat tolerant compared to Oakleaf varieties.
Organic vs Synthetic Options?
It’s totally up to you to decide which fertilizer type you’re more comfortable working with in your garden.
After many years of search, trial and error, I decided to make my own fertilizer. It made such a huge difference on my blooms! If you want to know more about it, learn here about these easy homemade fertilizers.
Simple Tips For Bloom Boosting
Conclusion
Although getting the fertilizing part down with hydrangeas can be a little challenging, once you figure out what the perennial truly needs, things start to make a lot more sense.
Fertilization isn’t just a repetitive practice or “chore” with hydrangeas; it’s an art. Embracing its complexity and falling in love with the process can be particularly helpful for long-term results. Happy fertilizing!
