Hydrangea (Lat. Hydrangea) is a plant that needs a lot of water. It also speaks its Latin name, which begins with the word hydro meaning water. The genus of hydrangeas is the natural habitat of East Asia and the humid forest areas of North and South America, and there are more than 75 species that bloom with overgrown spherical flowers. They were brought to Europe in the 18th century, and the cultivar that is most widespread today is large-leaved hydrangea, namely Hydrangea macrophylla. This woody shrub grows up to 200 cm in height and width.
                                          
The most prominent characteristic of hydrangea, as well as the reason why it is so popular in gardens, is its large flower heads in white, pink, red, blue or purple. It blooms from June until the end of October. Flower heads consist of two types of flowers - fertile flowers are hidden inside the head and are not pretty, and are surrounded by large beautiful flowers with four non-fertile petals.

The color of the hydrangea flower depends on the acidity of the soil in which it grows. If the hydrangea has blue flower heads, it means that the soil is very acidic (pH 3 - 4.5) or that it contains a high content of aluminum salts. On neutral to alkaline soil (up to pH 7) it will be pink or red. Hydrangeas with white flowers do not depend on the acidity of the soil - they are always white.

The acidity of the soil, and then the blue color of the flowers, is affected by adding acidity to the soil. Soils in our climate are usually alkaline reaction (pH≥7) so the hydrangeas are pink unless you acidify the soil. For example, by planting already prepared soil for plants that prefer acidic soil (a rhododendron substrate), regularly saving fertilizer containing aluminum sulfate and watering it with rainwater. Also, mix pine needles at least once a year with garden soil and apply it around a hydrangea bush.

On a flowerbed with hydrangeas there is a nice sight when blue and purple blooms alternate - as in the photo. They are planted individually, in groups, along the edges of the garden, like hedges, along ponds, and are a special attraction if planted as a flower cloud in the lawn.

They are looking for abundant watering and spring pruning

Hydrangeas are flowers that can be grown in semi-shady and moist places in the garden or around the house - where, even in the midst of summer, there is always moisture in the heat of the day. It will thrive, for example, under tall trees. The soil should be fertile, rich, loose. It should be watered extensively in summer - if it grows in a sunny place then twice a day, with rainwater or stagnant water.

Hydrangea easily tolerates winter, without special protection, provided you do not prune it in the fall. Old ocval flowers protect the stem by stopping its vegetation. Pruning hydrangea in the fall will boost its growth and make those branches suffer. Hydrangeas are therefore pruned in the spring - the branches are cut in half in March or April. If you cut it sharper to the ground, it will not bloom for you. Cut the old branches in the middle of the bush to the very base - so the plant will rejuvenate. In the winter, you can protect the hydrangea by straw or a clump of leaves around the base, as well as roses. It is stored in the spring when vegetation begins. If the hydrangea leaves begin to turn yellow, it is a sign that it lacks iron, so replace it with appropriate fertilizer.

It is propagated very easily by cuttings - woody twigs are taken in the pavement.