We can’t get enough of these seductive blooms.
Here’s how to choose, plant, and care for French hydrangeas.
Picking out French hydrangea,hydrangea macrophylla, is like ordering iced tea.
In this Macon, Georgia garden, bluehydrangea macrophylla set a stunning path to a table simply set with fresh cut blooms.Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson
You’re going to have to make a decision: Sweet or unsweet?
There’s no right or wrong answerit’s about personal taste.
Hydrangea macrophylla, also called bigleaf hydrangeas, have blooms categorized as mopheads or lacecaps.
And like iced teasweet or unsweetboth are Southern staples.
Mopheads are the most popular.
Be mindful of where to plant French hydrangeas, as consumption is toxic to pets and humans.
Mophead hydrangeas have big, puffy balls, while lacecaps are flatter, with smaller buds in the center.
Mopheads contain mostly large clusters of sepals, while lacecaps contains many tiny flowers among the sepals.
Lacecaps may be more subtle but are equally stunning when in bloom.
Like mopheads, their flowers float atop broad, bright green, deciduous leaves.
While mopheads may be showier, lacecaps are sublimely elegant.
Showcase drifts of these ethereal blooms in woodland configs with high shade and combine with sweeps offernsand hostas.
Hydrangeas can become aggressive in some environments but are generally not considered invasive.
Light
Bigleaf hydrangeas thrive in the morning sun and light afternoon shade.
However, for best blooms, they do need some sunlight.
Soil
French hydrangeas love moist, well-drained soil.
Layering organic materials near the base of the shrubs can help protect the plant’s growth.
ensure when watering that it reaches the roots.
Temperature and Humidity
Moderate temperatures are best for French hydrangeas.
This plant will need more water in areas that experience hot, humid summer conditions.
These plants are typically hardy in zones 6-9, but it depends on the cultivar.
Fertilizer
Organic compost or balanced fertilizers will help hydrangeas grow.
Additionally, soil pH influences the bloom color of French hydrangeas.
Blue flowers occur in acidic soil, while pink flowers appear in alkaline soil.
Prune just after flowering in summer.
Remove older or dead branches back to the group using loppers to keep your hydrangea healthy.
Removing old canes and dead blossoms can help promote new growth.
Propagating French Hydrangeas
One way to propagate French hydrangeas is through cuttings.
Take cuttings in the spring or winter, depending on your preferences.
Potting and Repotting French Hydrangeas
When buying French hydrangeas, look for more than just pretty flowers.
Choose a full plant with equal branching on all sides.
Water as soon as you get them home, saturating the soil in the pot.
Before planting, play with the placement.
Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the pot but at the same depth.
Remove the plant from its container, and set it in the center of the hole.
Gently loosen the sides of the root ball with your fingers.
Fill the hole with a mixture of half the original soil and half compost.
Mulch and water regularly to help establish your plant.
Overwintering
French hydrangeas only require a little winter maintenance.
After blooming ends, protect the shrub by deadheading the flowers.
Use mulch to protect the plant’s roots during the colder months.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
French hydrangeas are susceptible to fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases.
Some fungal diseases include leaf spots, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight.
Some pests include aphids, which insecticidal soap can help treat.
Unfortunately, deer also love hydrangeas.
When hydrangea care is mismanaged, these plants are susceptible to various issues.
Leaves Turning Brown
Hydrangea leaves and blooms might turn brown during drought or extreme heat periods.
Curling Leaves
Curling leaves indicate over- or under-watering, dry soil conditions, or nutrient deficiency.
Other reasons for curling leaves include fungal and insect infections.
When disrupted by these conditions, hydrangeas have weakened plant tissues, which causes curling to occur.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.Hydrangea macrophylla.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.Hydrangea.
