HYDRANGEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 8

HYDRANGEAS

KEEP THE COLOUR IN THEM. The evolution of the hydrangea from the common, familiar species that was introduced from China in 1790 to the beautiful modern types with their immense trusses of bloom gives proof of the patience and perserverance of the horticulturist. To the flower-lover those shrubs are an interesting study because of their tendency to produce different colours in the blooms under different soil conditions.

Mastertonians are lucky in being able to grow these glorious shrubs so easily. In the rigorous climate of Scotland possessors of pots with shrubs a couple of feet high, and with flower trusses too insignificant for words, counted themselves lucky, indeed. Their astonishment on seeing the magnificent specimens grown in gardens around Masterton could well be imagined. Hydrangeas grow best in a semishaded position, where they are sheltered from westerly winds and hot afternoon sun in summer.

Planted in well-prepared soil that has incorporated with it old manure, they will thrive and grow in beauty year by year, and, as they are endowed with long life, they attain a glory that is seldom reached by any other flowering shrub. When they are well rooted and established they should be supplied with plenty of organic manure, as good feeding produces good results. If organic manure is hard to get, give them blood and bone. Prune after the flowering is finished (about the middle of February) and give them a light pruning again in June. ■

For medium and dwarf growers a thinning out of the old stems that have flowered is sufficient. For taller varieties take out the old wood right to the base of the plant. Cuttings taken from matured wood after flowering may be planted in pots or in the garden in sandy soil. After they are rooted they may be transplanted either to pots or to permanent positions in the garden. Well-decayed manure mixed with sand and turf loam will make them grow into hardy shrubs. Iron keeps the colour blue, lime will keep it pink or red. To eliminate the pink colours quickly add a dessertspoonful of aluminium sulphate to every square yard of soil. Plenty of water must be given durirng spring and summer.