Planting a Garden of Hydrangeas
Another outdoor chore is checked off my long list - so much is getting done this season.
My farm sits on 153 acres of gardens, pastures, and woodlands. Every year, I work hard to design new garden spaces and enhance existing ones. I take into consideration a plant's growing needs and mature size and plant accordingly. This week, I took down some old pussy willows in an area behind my main greenhouse to make room for a a collection of wonderful pink and white hydrangeas from Star Roses and Plants, a company of brands that focuses on breeding and introducing specimens offering longer-lasting, disease resistant blooms. This garden will look so stunning when these plants are mature.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
-
- I’m so proud of all the many bare-root plants I am able to nurture here in pots before they are planted in more permanent locations. These bare-roots are Sweet Starlight Hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata. Its bright white blooms age from light to dark pink. These were potted up last April.
-
- I decided this area behind my main greenhouse needed a change. There were some old willows here that needed replacing. Once the space was cleared, it was leveled and prepared for planting.
-
- And here are the hydrangeas this week just before planting in this new garden bed.
-
- This variety features bright white flower panicles that bloom every year and age from light to dark antique pink. Strong stems keep the showy blooms from flopping over and the compact size fills in nicely when planted in numbers.
-
- Here’s a closer look at a panicle bloom which contains both light and dark pink.
-
- Ryan focuses on placing the plants in the bed. As with all new plants, the potted hydrangeas are carefully positioned where they will be planted to ensure good spacing and arrangement. Hydrangeas should be at least four feet apart when planted in groups.
-
- It was all hands on deck to get the 90 hydrangeas planted before lunch. Here’s Pasang digging one of the holes.
-
- The crew works in a production line process. The holes are dug first before any planting begins. Placing the plants in their designated holes also helps to keep track of the holes dug.
-
- Each hole should always be twice as wide as the plant’s root ball and several inches deeper than the original pot. This ensures that the roots have enough room to grow and spread properly.
-
- Fertilizer is sprinkled generously inside the hole and on the surrounding soil. I use Miracle-Gro fertilizers that help with transplant survival, increase water and nutrient absorption, and encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage. Ryan also sprinkles fertilizer around the entire bed.
-
- Pasang uses his hands to scarify the root ball and stimulate growth. Since these were just potted last spring, the root ball soil is still soft and easy to break up.
-
- Hydrangeas have a fibrous root system, which means their roots are thin and branch out. The roots allow the plants to absorb water and nutrients from the top layers of soil.
-
- Pasang plants the hydrangea similar to the way it was planted in the pot. Planting them too deep can bury the stems, which can promote root rot.
-
- Nearby, Matthew plants another. The hole is backfilled with the existing soil as well as new composted soil made right here at my farm.
-
- In the ground, the plant should sit at the same depth it was in the pot. Matthew spreads the soil evenly and tamps lightly at the end to ensure good contact.
-
- Remember, perennials like hydrangeas generally grow slowly the first year, faster the second year, and then reach full size in the third year.
-
- In just a couple of hours, all the hydrangeas are planted and looking great.
-
- Cesar rakes the area, so it is neat and tidy.
-
- And then Matthew gives each plant a thorough drink.
-
- Hydrangeas prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. I know these will do so well in this location.
-
- A row of trees was also planted to offer some dappled shade over the hydrangeas once mature. These are katsura trees. what do you think? Following is a short clip showing the bed at the end of the day.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
