Planting Flowerfull Smooth Hydrangeas

November 5, 2024

A good time to plant hydrangeas is in the fall, so they can grow healthy root systems before their first blooms.

My gardeners planted many hydrangeas this year - in my perennial hydrangea garden, around my goose enclosure, along both sides of my Cotinus and London plane tree allée, and outside my tennis court. A portion of them are from First Editions Shrubs & Trees, a brand of premium evergreens and perennials from the fifth-generation, family and brand owner Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, Minnesota. Among their newest hydrangea varieties is Flowerfull, which stands out with bold white blooms and sturdy upright stems. I decided to plant these behind my main greenhouse near my berry bushes, where they would be seen and admired every summer.

Enjoy these photos.

: Early last month, I received a large delivery of beautiful hydrangeas from First Editions Shrubs & Trees. At the time, all of them were blooming profusely.

: Hydrangea, commonly named the hortensia, is a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangea flowers bloom from early spring to late autumn.

: Included in this selection is Berry White, Panicle Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renba.’ It has strong, upright stems and large cone-shaped flower panicles. The flower color starts white in July then progresses to dark pink, beginning at the bottom and developing up to the top of the panicle.

: Strawberry Sundae is also a panicle hydrangea. This one is perfect in small hedges or as part of mass plantings. The flowers emerge creamy white in midsummer and change to pink as night temperatures cool down.

: The Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea features enormous flower heads that are held upright – first white, then pink, then red in later fall.

: And new from First Editions is the FlowerFull Smooth Hydrangea.

: Born in a tight cluster, the blossoms of FlowerFull are initially green and open to a creamy white.

: Its leaves are more rounded, slightly heart shaped with a matte surface.

: I wanted them planted in a nice location, where they could flourish under part shade. I decided to plant some under and around this fastigiate oak tree, one of several I planted years ago.

: The leaves of a fastigiate oak tree, also known as the upright English oak or columnar English oak, are oblong or obovate in shape, with three to seven blunt lobes per side.

: As with all new plants, the potted hydrangeas are first placed where they will be planted to ensure good spacing and arrangement. Hydrangeas should be at least four feet apart when planted in groups.

: Cesar starts digging the holes. Because these holes do not have to be too deep, he uses a post hole digger.

: Placing the plants in their designated locations also helps to keep track of the holes dug.

: Fertilizer is sprinkled generously inside the hole and on the surrounding soil. We used Scotts Evergreen, Flowering Tree & Shrub fertilizer fortified to help with transplant survival, increased water and nutrient absorption, and to encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage.

: Using a Hori Hori knife, Cesar scarifies the root ball to stimulate growth. The Hori Hori knife is 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.

: Hydrangeas have a fibrous root system, which means their roots are thin and branch out. These roots allow the plants to absorb water and nutrients from the top layers of soil.