hydrangea are an ideal shrub for USDA hardiness geographical zone 7 . The hydrangea , with its delicate , lacy flowers , is tough enough to hold out the zone ’s winter . The average minimal temperature in 7a is 0 to 5 arcdegree F ; in 7b , it is 5 to 10 degrees F. While the temperatures do send away below freeze , it ’s uncommon for a bitter , prospicient - condition frost to hit the area . According to the Texas Cooperative Extension , only the hydrangea that course have pinkish flower will bloom bluish , and only if grown in vitriolic grease . give your bush the correct growing conditions ensures a healthy , glad gloomy hydrangea .
Step 1
pick out an area for your hydrangea that receive morning Sunday and afternoon shade . Zone 7 is jolly temperate , but its summertime sunlight can be quite strong . Do not select a site that gets full good afternoon sun or fleshy shade ( such as under a big tree ) . An elision to this , according to hydrangeashydrangeas.com , is the paniculata hydrangea , which will grow in full , all - day sunlight if water adequately . The paniculatas demand at least five time of day of sunlight each day for skilful blooming .
Step 2
Dig a trap 2 foot encompassing and 12 inches deep . Because zone 7 incline to have land that contain more clay , add several inches of compost or humous in the bottom of the hole .
Step 3
Place your hydrangea in the hole at the same level that it was in its pot . Backfill with soil , tamping down firmly to demolish melodic line house of cards . geographical zone 7 ’s winters are not wicked enough to warrant entomb your bush ’s crown .
Step 4
Water thoroughly . Water your bush at least once weekly during the summertime , and more if the plant begin to wilt . Zone 7 ’s yearly rainfall can pasture dramatically from year to twelvemonth , so see that your bush gets at least 1 inch of water per calendar week in the growing season . You should not take to irrigate during the wintertime dormant time of year .
Step 5
Keep your grease ’s pH between 5 and 5.5 if you desire to keep your hydrangea ’s peak naughty . quiz your soil when you plant , and again in April when you see young growth emerge . According to Clemson Extension , hold aluminum sulfate or sulfur to reduce the pH to this ambit , if call for .
Step 6
use pine needles as mulch in a 2 - foot - wide of the mark ring around your bush ’s base . The pine needle will not only retain wet in the ground , but they will increase the sourness as they decompose .
Step 7
Apply several light applications of 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer during the growing time of year , Clemson suggests . The ideal schedule would be once each in March , May and July .
Tip
The optimal sentence to imbed a newfangled bush in zone 7 is early summertime or late fall , before extreme temperatures take place , Clemson Extension advises . Transplant your hydrangea in late fall or winter , when the shrub is abeyant and has dropped its leaves .
Warning
If your hydrangea is not blooming , the most vernacular culprit is extreme wintertime temperature that kill buds or even large parts of your shrub . Other reasons , agree to hydrangeashydrangeas.com , may be too much refinement , piteous grunge fertility or too much N fertilizer .
