Hello friends...after posting photos of my lovely Hydrangea bush, I had a few request's for a tutorial on propagating them. So if you have a favorite Hydrangea or your neighbor has one you are lusting after (I'm talking to you Nester) you will enjoy this. It is super easy and it's called Ground Layering'...
My one and only cherished Hydrangea bush.
Once you find the bush you wish to propagate, look underneath it and locate a few low growing branches. The closer to the ground the better.
See all these low branches..perfect!
Find a joint like the one in the photo above.
With a garden tool, loosen the soil below that joint, making a small planting hole.
Now carefully place that chosen branch into the hole at the jointed spot. Be sure the joint is totally covered with dirt. Place a heavy brick or rock on top of the joint, to hold it in place while it roots. The flower on the left is one end of my branch and the woody stem on the right is the other side which of course is connected to Mama. Water it well and now just back away and be patient...Ok Jennifer..this is obviously not for you..the patient part.
(this is what it will look like)
New roots will start to develop at that joint. You will be able to tell it has rooted when you tug at the joint gently and it feels snug in the dirt. Good things are worth waiting for.
Once rooted, make a clean cut on the main plant side of the branch (in the photo, right of the brick). gently dig up the new baby plant being careful not to damage the new roots and plant in a nice shade/partial sun location and enjoy!
Some fun FYI:
To change you Hydrangea from Pink to Blue you need to add Aluminum Sulfate and reverse that for Blue to pink.
White Hydrangeas cannot be changed by science..only God can do that..interesting Huh?
Lastly..for those of you in the hot South, it is very unlikely you will ever produce a 'true' Red Hydrangea. Deep or very dark pink..maybe, but true deep red...won't happen. Something about the intense heat I think.
If you want to enjoy dried Hydrangea blooms..DON'T..I repeat, don't pick them and try to hang them upside down like you would roses or herbs. Leave the blooms on the plant until August or September and they will dry and turn a lovely vintage hue all on their own. Then cut them and bring them inside.
You can also dye them with Rit dye..read about that here.
So that's it..not hard at all. Now go forth and propagate my children!
Until next time...be kind and stay creative.
