Gentlemen’s breeches or old ladies’ bonnets. Wait, are we talking about old fashioned clothing on a gardening website?Eastern bluebell, Virginia cowslip, or Roanoke bells. Phew,
06.06.2023 - 18:35 / gardenerspath.com / Sylvia Dekker
How to Shape Your Hydrangea into a TreeHydrangeas are perfect garden bushes. The plants are quick growing, low maintenance, and produce loads of bright, voluminous blooms.
Naturally, they grow as multi-stemmed shrubs, and need occasional pruning to keep them in shape. But have you ever seen tree form hydrangeas at a nursery?
Looking a little like a lollipop, these standard trees are a tall, sleek, modern twist on the beloved blooming bush.
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It’s tempting to add a few of these lollipops to your cart, but thanks to the years-long process required to shape and allow a plant to mature, they can be pricey.
Not to worry: if you have some patience and keep reading, you can learn how to train your own hydrangeas into a tree form.
If you need a refresher on how to grow and care for hydrangeas, see our guide.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
ConsiderationsTree form plants are also known as standards. You can find standard lavender, maples, gardenias… the list goes on and on.
The best species that you can choose to create a tree from is the panicle variety, H. paniculata, which is actually sometimes called the tree hydrangea.
These bushy plants, with their large, conical blooms, are hardy in Zones 3 to 9. They flower on new wood, creating their buds in the spring, and are fast growing and resilient.
As you get ready to do some serious clipping, keep in mind that clean tools are essential during the entire process.
You don’t want to transmit disease pathogens or pests to your plants, which will be in a compromised state after pruning, particularly after the first trim.
Disinfect your shears or clippers by dipping them in a 10 percent bleach
Gentlemen’s breeches or old ladies’ bonnets. Wait, are we talking about old fashioned clothing on a gardening website?Eastern bluebell, Virginia cowslip, or Roanoke bells. Phew,
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