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Blooming
Plant
of the month
hydrangea
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BOTANICAL NAME
Hydrangea macrophylla
(hy-DRAN-jee-a mac-ro-FY-la)
DESCRIPTION
Hydrangeas are popular blooming plants grown for their small,
star-shaped flowers, which are packed closely together to form
rounded or pyramidal heads that are often up to 6 inches across.
The showy parts of the flowers are sepals, not petals. “Hortensias,”
the major group of Hydrangea macrophyllas, have “mophead”
flowerheads, with densely massed sterile florets. A smaller
group, the “lacecaps,” have a ring of sterile florets
surrounding tiny fertile flowers.
COLORS
Hydrangeas are available in white, pink, blue, lilac, green and
red/brown as well as bicolor varieties.
DECORATIVE LIFE
Hydrangea plants will remain in bloom for several weeks, with
each flower head lasting from 15 to 20 days, depending on
location and care.
AVAILABILITY
These plants can be purchased year-round in many areas. They are
readily available from February through May.
IN-STORE AND CONSUMER CARE
LIGHT Hydrangeas require
high light levels to do well indoors. A sunny window is the best
location, but avoid direct sun, which will fade or burn the
flowers.
WATER Do not allow Hydrangea
plants to dry out because wilting will reduce longevity.
Submerge the pots in room-temperature water until completely
saturated, and then allow them to stand until all dripping has
stopped. Do not allow the plants to remain in standing water, or
root rot may result.
REFRIGERATION
Hydrangeas can be stored in floral refrigerators at 35 F for up
to four days. Storage for longer periods may affect shelf life.
TEMPERATURE Hydrangeas like
cool temperatures. Move the plants to a cool area at night (50 F
to 60 F) to increase their decorative life.
HUMIDITY Mist the leaves
occasionally.
REBLOOMING—OUTDOORS After
the plants have finished flowering, move the pots outside and
plant them, pots and all, into the ground where they will get
full morning sun and light shade during the afternoon. Water the
plants regularly, and fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer
about every two weeks. For extra-large flower heads, allow only
about three stems to develop. Remove extra shoots from the
centers of the plants, and lift the pots occasionally to keep
roots in the pots.
REBLOOMING—INDOORS Cut back
the shoots after the plants have finished flowering so that two
nodes, or pairs, of leaves are left on each shoot. Repot plants
in a mixture of equal parts of soil and peat moss. Grow plants
in south-facing windows.
CHALLENGES
ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY
Hydrangeas may exhibit flower-shattering when exposed to
ethylene gas. Check with your supplier to make sure your plants
are treated with an anti-ethylene agent at the grower or
transportation level.
PESTS Snails, slugs and
aphids are the most common pests on Hydrangeas. Remove any
snails and slugs, and control aphids by washing the plants with
an insecticidal soap.
CAUTION If large amounts of
Hydrangea bark, leaves or flower buds are ingested, nausea,
stomach pain, vomiting and sweating can occur. Advise customers
to keep the plants out of reach of small children and pets.
QUALITY CHECKLIST
BLOOMS Hydrangea plants are
ready for shipping or sales when at least 75 percent of the
flowers are open and showing color.
STEMS & FOLIAGE When plants
arrive in your store, check them for signs of wilt, rot or mold.
FUN FACTS
WHAT’S IN A NAME “Hydrangea”
comes from the Greek words “hydro” (water) and “aggos” (jar).
The names refer to the plant’s requirement for lots of water and
to its fruits, which are cup-shaped. The name “macrophylla”
means “large-leafed.”
FAMILY Formerly included in
the Saxifragaceae (saxifrage) family, Hydrangeas have been
reclassified into the Hydrangeaceae family. There are 17 genera,
170 species and more than 400 cultivars of Hydrangeas.
HOME SWEET HOME Hydrangeas
are native to Japan and Korea as well as to the eastern United
States as far south as Florida. They thrive in woodlands and on
riverbanks.
DESIGN NOTE Hydrangea heads
and florets are great for pressing, freeze-drying or air-drying.
Some information provided by:
Chain of Life Network®,
www.chainoflifenetwork.org
The New House Plant Expert, by Dr. D.G. Hessayon
The Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Flower & Plant Care
manual
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Super Floral Retailing • Copyright 2009
Florists' Review Enterprises, Inc.
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