Whilst all hydrangeas require fairly
damp soil conditions they can be grown satisfactorily in drier soil (as
at Southern Comfort), provided they are given the occasional bucket of
water during dry spells. This blue lacecap (probably Hydrangea macrophylla
'Blue Wave' syn. 'Mariesii Perfecta') requires acid soil to give its best
blue. Proprietary colorants or sequestered iron products can be used in
other cases. Before growth starts in the following season all hydrangea
branches should be pruned back to a healthy vigorous bud. Another good
blue lacecap is the almost indistinguishable Hydrangea serrata
'Bluebird'. |