White wedding hydrangeas are a gorgeous addition to any garden. With their large, lush blooms and neutral coloring, they make stunning cut flowers and can be incorporated into floral arrangements with ease. While hydrangeas in general are relatively low maintenance, there are some specific things to know about caring for the white wedding variety in particular. Here’s a complete guide on how to plant, grow, and care for these beautiful flowers.
An Overview of White Wedding Hydrangeas
The white wedding hydrangea, also known by its botanical name of Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red,’ is a deciduous shrub with cone-shaped flower clusters that can grow quite large, up to 12 inches across They bloom in mid-late summer and the blooms start out a stark white before fading to a light pink as they mature.
Some key facts about white wedding hydrangeas
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Ideal growing zones are 5-9.
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They prefer full to partial sun exposure (at least 4 hours of direct sun per day),
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Mature height is 4-6 feet tall with a 3-5 foot spread.
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Pruning is recommended after flowering in order to maintain shape and size.
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Bloom time is June through September.
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The flowers make excellent cut flowers.
How to Plant White Wedding Hydrangeas
When planting white wedding hydrangea shrubs in your garden, here are some tips to follow:
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Choose a spot with good drainage. Hydrangeas do not like wet feet so make sure the soil drains well.
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Amend the soil. Work in compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil. Hydrangeas like slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.2-5.5.
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Give them space. Allow 3-5 feet between shrubs to account for their mature spread.
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Dig a hole as deep as the root ball. Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Refill the hole, firming the soil around the roots.
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Water thoroughly. Give the plant a deep watering after planting to help settle the roots.
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Add mulch. Spread 2-3 inches of shredded bark, leaves, or other organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Stake if needed. If planting in a windy area, use stakes and plant ties to support the shrub while the roots establish.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Here are some tips for keeping your white wedding hydrangeas happy and healthy:
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Consistent moisture is key, especially in hot weather. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to target the roots.
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Apply fertilizer in spring. Use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or something formulated for acid-loving plants.
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Prune right after blooming. Cut back the flower stems to just above the pair of leaves below the spent flowers. This encourages new growth and flowering.
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Protect in winter. In cold climates, wrap or mound the base of the shrubs in late fall for insulation.
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Remove deadheads. Cut off wilted and dried flowers throughout the season to keep the plants looking tidy.
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Watch for pests. Aphids, mites, and caterpillars may appear. Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps for treatment.
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Propagate with cuttings. Take 6 inch stem cuttings in summer. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and pot up in soil. Keep moist until roots form.
Getting Gorgeous Blooms
The keys to getting loads of beautiful blooms on your white wedding hydrangeas are:
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Ensure the plants get at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is ideal.
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Keep the soil consistently moist. Hydrangeas wilt easily if the soil dries out.
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Apply a fertilizer with higher phosphorus in early spring to promote flowering.
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Remove spent blooms promptly after flowering to encourage reblooming.
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Avoid excessive pruning. Only prune back to shape the shrub and remove dead stems.
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Protect the plants from strong winds, which can damage the fragile blooms.
With the right care, your white wedding hydrangeas will reward you with their stunning blooms summer after summer! Trim them for gorgeous floral displays inside or let them show off their beauty in the garden.
Using White Wedding Hydrangeas for Cut Flowers
The large, full blooms of white wedding hydrangeas make them an excellent choice for cutting and arranging fresh flowers. Here are some tips:
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Cut the stems early in the morning while the plants are well hydrated.
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Use clean, sharp pruners or floral shears for smooth cuts.
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Cut the stems on an angle to allow more water uptake.
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Strip off the leaves on the lower half of the stem before placing in water.
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Use a clean vase and lukewarm water mixed with floral preservative.
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Give the flowers a cool, shaded spot out of direct sun to prolong their beauty.
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Recut the stems every few days and replace the water to nourish the blooms.
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Hydrangeas can last up to 7-10 days in a vase with proper care.
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For drying, hang small bouquets upside down in a cool, dry area out of sunlight.
With their large flower heads and neutral coloring, white wedding hydrangeas are ideal for both minimal and lavish floral designs. Show them off in masses on their own or pair them with other garden flowers like roses, lilies, or dahlias.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
While they are not difficult to grow, there are a few common issues to watch for with white wedding hydrangeas:
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Wilting – This is usually caused by underwatering. Make sure plants get at least 1-2 inches of water per week.
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Leaf spots – Fungal leaf spot diseases are common. Improve air circulation and use fungicides if needed.
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Failing to bloom – Make sure plants get sufficient sunlight. Fertilize in spring to promote flowering.
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Root rot – Overwatering can lead to fungal root rot. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Pests – Aphids, spider mites, scale, and caterpillars may attack. Use horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps.
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Chlorosis – Yellowing leaves indicate a lack of nutrients. Fertilize with an acidic plant food.
Catching problems early allows you to take corrective care and get your hydrangeas thriving again. Proper site selection, watering, and maintenance practices can help avoid issues.
With their gorgeous blooms and easygoing nature, white wedding hydrangeas are a joy to grow. A little attention to their basic care needs will keep these perennial shrubs coming back even bigger and better every year. Add their romantic elegance to your garden or cut bouquets and enjoy their beauty!
How to Plant a Hydrangea Flower
Hydrangeas can grow in most climates throughout the United States as long as they’re planted in well-drained soil, but continually receiving moisture. The White Wedding Hydrangea can be planted in a range of USDA zones and they’re cold-hardy in zones 4a-9b. They tolerate both shade and sun, which is another bonus to these beauties. However, white wedding hydrangeas tend to enjoy a little more sun than shade.
When you’re planting the hydrangea in the ground to come back each year, you want to dig about 2 feet in width around the plant roots, and no deeper than the length of the actual roots. Be sure to loosen the roots before putting into the ground. You’ll want to put a thin layer of mulch or compost around the base of the plant. This will provide moisture-rich soil for the flower to thrive. Then, you’ll want to give it a nice, long drink after you fill the rest of the hole with soil.
It’s also a good idea to keep the center of the stem a bit higher out of the ground than the rest of the plant, so water is able to drain away from it. This makes it easier to care for your white wedding hydrangea down the road. That first season of planting, you’ll want to be sure to water the plant often.
Much like planting white wedding hydrangeas in the ground, planting them in a pot is much the same. However, planted pots tend to dry out faster, so be aware of that. Also, avoid overcrowding and give the roots room to grow. Finally, watch out for black spots, which will be mean you have fungus from poor drainage.
How to Care for White Wedding Hydrangeas
Instead of buying hydrangeas from the store, planting hydrangeas allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor year after year. In fact, that’s my favorite part about having a hydrangea plant because I can continuously cut them off the bush and bring them inside for styling throughout my home. They provide beautiful blooms from midsummer to fall without much work.
White Wedding® Hydrangea in 2 Minutes – Great Flowering Variety
FAQ
Do you prune white wedding hydrangeas?
- Cut any weak or dead-looking stems off the base of the plant
- Throughout the season, you can prune mature hydrangeas off.
- Trim in between the mature bloom and where you see flowering leaves.
- At the end of the fall season, cut any dried hydrangea blooms off just below the bloom.
How do you keep white hydrangeas white?
While the color of blue and pink hydrangeas is impacted by soil pH, white hydrangeas will stay white regardless of the soil makeup. Which is good news for those looking to ensure their pretty ivory-toned blooms stay that way.
Do you cut back a wedding gown hydrangea?
Massed in a sheltered location or as an accent plant. No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots. Prune in late winter or early spring if necessary.
Why is my White Wedding Hydrangea turning brown?
If a hydrangea is in a place where the sun is hitting the flowers from 11 AM to 3 PM that flower will brown faster than those that are in shade during that time period. Secondly, if a sprinkler system or hose is hitting the flowers frequently, this will also cause the petals to go brown.