Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to think about planting these classic beauties.
Here in The Kawarthas we are in a perfect growing zone to appreciate them.
The Annabelle hydrangea is one most familiar with its giant “snowballs”.
Take a drive through any older historic neighborhood
and you will find these everywhere.
This hydrangea blooms on “new” wood, meaning it blooms on the
current season’s growth. Prune back 3/4 in late fall.
Annabelle’s also spread quickly, so you’ll have lots of
these gorgeous blooms. They make great hedges!
Height: 4-5' Spread: 4-6'
Part Shade to Full Sun with lots of Moisture.
(h. arborescens)
Annabelle’s younger cousin, the Limelight hydrangea is also a huge
favourite of gardeners. Slightly different from the Annabelle in that
it has a cone shaped lace flower that provides a showstopping bloom
all season, grows in a rounded shape & changes colour in the fall.
Limelights bloom on new wood, making them withstand hard
winters, children, bunnies and even the occasional golf ball being
chipped on front lawn. Hard prune these in fall or late winter.
Full sun to part shade with lots of water. Height: 6-8' Spread: 6-8'
Control size with pruning.
Stages of Limelight Hydrangea (h.paniculata)
Early Summer
Summer
Fall
Both hydrangeas have incredible growth and last for generations to come.
More Favourites for the Kawartha Lakes
Bobo 3'h
Little Lime 3'h
Vanilla Stawberry 6-7'
Pinky Winkie 6-8'h
PeeGee Heights up to 25'
What not to plant in the Kawartha Lakes
Hydrangea Macrophylla
These are the beautiful Hydraneas that you often see at Easter in the
blues & pink. While Macrophylla hydrangeas can survive here,
you often don’t see blooms. These hydrangeas bloom on old wood
(previous season) and the buds that are formed often get damaged in
our icy winters and eaten by rabbits. You can have success by
wrapping them in burlap for the winter to protect them.
