Various hydrangea questions
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Various hydrangea questions
- From: N* S*
- Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 11:52:37 -0400
I thought this might be the moment to raise some questions about hydrangeas
since we're already on this topic:
--Has anyone ever successfully overwintered hydrangeas in a basement/garage?
I have two pots that I'd like to try to keep inside since my other
hydrangeas, even those I wrap in burlap, often get a lot of winter kill. My
garage gets down to about 35-40 degrees and has a small amount of light
(enough to start an uncovered amaryllis bulb growing when I didn't want it
to). Would I put the pots inside after the leaves fell off? Water once a
week? Add organic fertilizer before I bring them indoors?
--The color issue really has me stymied. I intended to have a dark red and a
deep blue shrub but my 'Alpengluhen', which is supposed to be red even in
acid soil, is hot pink, and my 'Blue Prince' is lavender. I have acid soil,
probably around 6, and my attempts at adding lime around the 'Aplengluhen'
for the last three years have had absolutely no effect. The 'Blue Prince'
came with lavender flowers and I have never tried to acidify the soil
because it's acid enough as it is. This is the plant's second year
here--will it get darker as the roots extend into the soil here?
--I had always thought that hydrangeas made great cut flowers but my
'Annabelle' blooms drooped within a couple of days. Are you supposed to dry
the flowers first?
Thanks in advance,
Nancy S. (NYC, zone 6)
