Thinking of getting a Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea for your garden, or have you just become the proud owner of one? Here are some tips to help you take correct care of this pretty plant.
Did You Know?
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas make wonderful cut flowers not only because of their pretty colors, but also because they can last up to 12 days after cutting. That’s a long life for a bouquet!
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea is a hybrid of the much-loved hydrangea species and has been bred for aesthetic and general gardening purposes. It was voted as the Top Plant of 2010 by the American Nursery and Landscape Association.
A deciduous shrub with multiple stems, Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea can grow up to 6-8 feet in height, and has a spread of about six feet or less. Called a relative of the very popular PeeGee Hydrangea, Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea (Vanilla Strawberry for short) produces big conical flower heads in summer.
Vanilla Strawberry flowers are white when they bloom, and gradually turn pink as time passes. The pink slowly becomes red, and towards the end of the season when the temperature becomes a little cooler, the flowers are known to turn a deep shade of burgundy. What makes this shrub unique is that since it keeps producing new flowers throughout the season, at any given time, the plant has flowers in three different colors―pristine white, pale pink, and deep red, contrasting against the green of its foliage, making a spectacular sight.
Though this plant is not native to North America, it can be grown almost anywhere as it grows well in average to moist weather conditions, and is not limited to any specific kind of soil. It is sturdy and resists pollution too, which makes it possible for people in the cities to grow Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas.
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas have a medium growth rate and despite its sturdy nature, need to be given a fair bit of attention. Here are some tips to care for your Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas.
Planting
Planting Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas is fairly simple―just dig a hole that is comfortably big for the plant. Make sure that the soil is rich and well-drained, and you’re set.
Water
Water your Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas regularly, or they will dry out. Since this is typically a summer plant, it will need enough water to flower in the dry season.
Sun Exposure
Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas grow well in full sunlight, part sunlight, or part shade, so you can be sure that they will grow well at any spot in your garden.
Pruning
Pruning is important to keep any plant healthy and disease free, and to control its shape and size. Prune your Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas towards the end of the winter season after the worst of the cold has passed. Gardening experts recommend that pruning shouldn’t be done once spring sets in, as it will remove the blooming shoots and reduce the flowering of the plant.
Fertilization
Hydrangeas grow best when fertilized every once in a while. Artificial fertilizers are not really required, you can use organic matter such as organic mulches, instead. You can either buy organic mulches or make them at home.
Cutting flowers
The flowers of Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangeas make wonderful cut flowers and can be used in several arrangements. Cut and dry the flowers at the onset of fall, and use them in your arrangements in winter.
Companion Plants
Though your Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea does look pretty all by itself, it can also be teamed up with some other plants to make your garden look truly ravishing. Team it up with smaller shrubs with purple, pink, or red flowers, or even flowerless shrubs with green foliage.
Taking care of a Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea is fairly easy―a little bit of fertilizer, enough water, and some sunlight, and your plant is ready to dazzle everyone who sees it!