Santa Rosa Gardens

Hydrangea macrophylla Nikko Blue is probably the most well known and recognizable hydrangea out there.  It’s the one we think of from our childhoods.  It also has one of the truest blue blooms from the genus Hydrangea.  The globed shaped flowers are typically 4-5 inches across.  In acidic soil the flowers will appear bluer in color, in alkaline soils the flowers will appear lighter blue or even pink.  If you want to keep your flowers blue and your soil pH is high (alkaline), then one can add sulfur.  Hydrangea macrophylla’s require selective pruning to enhance flowering for the next year.  This is done by pruning down to the base the “old wood” to help encourage the new buds that will appear swollen to grow.  In the south this plant needs to be sheltered from afternoon sun.  Nikko Blue is excellent for cut flower arrangements (see additional tips under the 'notes' tab) as well as dried flower arrangements.  Use as a single specimen, hedge, or in groups.

Cutting blooms for indoors is best done by bringing a container of tepid water outdoors with you. Place newly cut branches immediately in this water. When ready to arrange, re-cut to desired length and dip cut ends in boiling hot water for 30 seconds. This softens the core, so water can be drawn up easier. These may last up to 10 days. Hydrangeas dry beautifully, also.