Planting Hydrangeas Around My Tennis Court
Another outdoor chore is checked off the list - my crew is getting so much done.
My Bedford, New York farm sits on 153 acres of gardens, pastures, and woodlands. Every year, I work hard to design new garden spaces and enhance existing ones. I take into consideration a plant's growing needs and mature size and plant accordingly. Down by my tennis court, I already have a collection of wonderful white hydrangeas growing on one side. I decided the area would look even better with hydrangeas planted around the entire perimeter... and it does.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- My tennis court in Bedford is tucked away in a far corner of my farm. The court is surrounded by the same type of fencing as my perennial flower garden. And like all the other structures on the farm, it is painted Bedford gray.
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- The surface of this court is gray clay, a wonderful surface to play on.
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- On one side of the court behind and next to the observation pergola, is a selection of beautiful white hydrangeas including Pee Gee hydrangeas.
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- Recently, I instructed my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew to plant more white hydrangeas around the entire court. Here, my foreman Chhiring Sherpa removes the sod from the areas to be planted.
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- Two foot wide strips of sod are removed and rolled up in sections for easy carrying. It may not look it, but a section of sod can weigh between 15 and 30 pounds per piece, depending on the moisture content of the soil.
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- Cesar carefully loads the bucket of our tractor with sod, which is always repurposed elsewhere on the farm when possible.
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- These are Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangeas from First Editions. They are compact, mid-sized white hydrangeas with large, full flower heads that bloom from the bottom to the top of the plant.
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- The flowers start out lime green, then turn white in the summer and eventually to an antique white in the fall.
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- Along the strip where the sod was removed, holes are dug in an assembly line fashion that is quick and efficient.
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- Fertilizer is sprinkled generously inside the hole and on the surrounding soil.
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- A good fertilizer made especially for the type of plant is used. This Scotts Miracle-Gro Evergreen, Flowering Tree & Shrub fertilizer is fortified to help with transplant survival, increased water and nutrient absorption, and to encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage.
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- Chhiring scarifies the root ball to stimulate growth.
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- Chhiring uses a Hori Hori knife, one of our favorite tools for the garden. It’s great for digging holes for transplants and bulbs, dividing plants, pruning, weeding, and so much more.
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- And then Chhiring plants the hydrangea similar to the way it was planted in the pot. Hydrangeas have shallow root systems that spread out broadly near the surface of the soil. Planting them too deep can bury the stems, which can promote root rot.
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- The hole is backfilled with the existing soil as well as new composted soil made right here at my farm.
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- I also added a selection of First Editions Diamond Rouge hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Rendia’, which is a small, bushy, deciduous shrub that produces large, rounded flower heads that change color over the season – creamy white in summer, changing to pink later in the season, and then wine red in fall.
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- Each plant is positioned thoughtfully before it is planted – the best side always faces out.
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- After everything is planted, Chhiring gives each specimen a good drink.
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- The entire perimeter is then dressed with mulch also made right here at the farm. It is delivered from my compost yard on our trusted Kubota M4-071 tractor bucket and then spread in an even two to three inch layer.
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- Chhiring is careful not to bury the plants too deeply.
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- What do you think? I am very pleased with how it all turned out. I am sure they will flourish here by my tennis court where they will get full sun.
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