It flowers on both old and new wood.
Southern Living Plant Collection
Hydrangeas bring endless charm and sweet nostalgia to gardens.
Among these, few are as deserving a spot in the garden as Dear Dolores hydrangea.
Credit:Southern Living Plant Collection
This showy variety makes a lovely accent with its long-lasting blooms.
It also looks stunning when planted en masse in borders and foundations, or as a lively hedge planting.
Bigleaf hydrangeas also perform well in containers.
Credit:Southern Living Plant Collection
The ideal conditions include morning sun with afternoon shade.
If planting in full sun be sure to provide consistent moisture.
Soil
Hydrangeas are quite adaptable to different soil types including sand, loam, and clay.
Flower color is sensitive to soil pH and aluminum availability in the soil.
For the strongest blue flower color, aim for soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5.
Amend soil with aluminum sulfate to lower pH.
Altering soil pH takes several months, so do not expect to see results immediately.
Once established, plants require at least one inch of water per week.
Mulch roots heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Avoid hot, exposed sites which will cause foliage to desiccate.
High winds can damage flower stems.
Soil tests will determine the existing soil pH as well as the level of aluminum present in the soil.
The results will indicate how much powdered or pelletized sulfur is required to achieve the desired change in pH.
Add amendments to the soil prior to planting.
Remember, altering soil pH takes months, so be patient.
Water plants well before transplanting to prevent roots from drying out during the planting process.
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times wider than the container.
This allows you to spread the roots out laterally.
in the planting hole.
Gently remove the hydrangea from its pot and loosen the roots.
Fill the planting hole with soil, pressing the soil down gently with your hand.
Water plants thoroughly and apply 2 inches of mulch, avoiding the area closest to stem.
Dear Dolores hydrangea is a reblooming variety that produces flowers on both old wood and new wood.
This makes it tough to determine when and how to prune.
In general, bigleaf hydrangeas require little pruning, save for occasional shaping and thinning.
Wait until new growth emerges in spring to assess your plants.
Remove any stems that have died back over the winter, as evidenced by dry, crunchy buds.
Overly long stems can be pruned back to maintain a more compact canopy.
If desired, deadhead plants after the first flush of blooms begins to fade.
This will encourage plants to shift resources to producing new blooms.
Chief among these is pruning at the wrong time.
Other common culprits include extreme winter cold and late spring frosts that kill flower buds on overwintering branches.
Likewise, a water-stressed plant will not flower well.
The ideal temperature for storage is 35 to 50F.
Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Plants need to go through a dormancy period to bloom the next season.
In areas where hydrangeas are prone to winter damage, outdoor plants may require a little extra protection.
Provide a fresh layer of mulch over the roots to moderate soil temperatures over the winter.
Then, wrap the crown with burlap to protect damage from wind and ice.
Propagating Dear Dolores Hydrangea
Dear Dolores hydrangea is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
Potting and Repotting Dear Dolores Hydrangea
Dear Dolores hydrangea makes a beautiful specimen in outdoor containers.
The long-lasting floral display provides a warm welcome near entryways and enlivens outdoor living spaces.
When growing hydrangeas in pots, start by selecting an appropriate container.
If plants will be overwintered outdoors, use a frost-proof material.
Good drainage is important to maintain plant health.
double-check the container you choose has ample drainage.
Fill the container with a commercial potting mix to promote good drainage.
Container-grown hydrangeas perform best with morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light all day.
Remember that containers dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check your container every day.
Thoroughly water when the upper one to two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The most problematic pests of bigleaf hydrangeas are deer.
Exclusion measures are the best means of protecting the foliage from these hungry visitors.
When grown under proper conditions, hydrangeas experience few other pest problems.
Treat the occasional aphid or mite outbreak with insecticidal soap.
Some foliar diseases can occur, particularly in hot, humid growing conditions.
Aim to maintain dry foliage by watering at the base.
Foliage often curls when plants are water-stressed.
Check the soil moisture and water when the top two inches are dry.
Sometimes plants curl their leaves as a means of coping with extreme heat.
In this case, they will unfold when the sun goes down.
Discolored foliage may indicate a problem below ground.
Leaves may turn yellow when roots are overly saturated.
Brown leaves may be a sign of nutrient imbalance, typically excess fertilization.
Adjust watering and feeding as needed to correct these problems.
