Better_HomesandGardensAustralia-February_2017

Picking tip

When cutting

to make an

arrangement, snip

off long stems.

Above a full set

of healthy leaves,

strip most of the

leaves off and soak

stems overnight

before arranging.

With gorgeous mop-heads of blooms,

these endless-summer flowers will fill

your garden with colour, especially

around new year. And they show

off in vibrant blue, pink, purple,

lilac or white. They’ll often flower

on and off from November all the

way through to April. Check out the

Endless Summer range of hydrangeas,

which are especially long-flowering.

Grow it

Hydrangeas get their name from the

Greek word ‘hydra’ meaning water, so

it’s no surprise they need a good drink!

If you want copious blooms, feed in

the growing season (warmer months)

by adding rich organic matter like aged

manure to the soil around the root zone.

Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade and

prefer sun in the morning with shade

in the afternoons. They also grow well

in coastal areas with sandy soils.

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea macrophylla

‘Nikko Blue’

Hydrangea macrophylla

Try cutting pink hydrangeas
and nestling them among
oregano and rosemary in
a white wicker basket.

3

Hydrangea

22 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, FEBRUARY 2017 bhg.com.au