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Nikko blue hydrangea plants are generally pruned in the summertime, just after the plant has finished blooming.
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Nikko Blue hydrangea are deciduous flower shrubs that bloom from early summer into autumn . The blossoms are usually blue but can also be purple or pink depending on the alkaline levels in the soil . They are groovy accent plants and have a longer bloom than many . Nikko Blue is one of the most popular blue hydrangea cultivar available .
Nikko Blue hydrangea basics
The Nikko Blue hydrangea is a cultivar of bigleaf hydrangea ( botanical nameHydrangea macrophylla ) . Native to Japan , they are also do it as “ mophead ” hydrangeas due to their oversized blush . As the name “ bigleaf ” implies , the foliage is quite thick and great , so it supply a lot of ornamental verdure to the garden .
Nikko Blue hydrangeas can be grown in Zones 6 - 9 . They can sometimes be grown in cool Zone 5 with some winter protection . Thesehydrangea plantsare deciduous bush that can rise to be 4 to 10 feet tall , and 4 to 10 feet spacious , but they are usually at the smaller oddment of that scale ( around 6 understructure tall and wide ) . They are tight - get whenhydrangea rise conditionsare good and have large , pear-shaped bloom clustering .
The color of Nikko Blue hydrangea flowers , as you might have guessed , is typically blue . However , this is not always the pillow slip . One unique affair about this character of hydrangea is that the color of the blooms can change depending on the eccentric of soil it is planted in .
Most of the time , these hydrangeas will be a rich , sky - low color . However , when they are planted in soils with higher alkaline soils , the blooms can really be pink or even purple colour . Here ’s achart showing the colour rangeof this species of hydrangea .
The flower clusters are typically about 5 inches across . They normally bloom in the other summertime and remain that way for about two months . These plants are very floriferous and typically produce new flush stem throughout the summer .
“ If you have acid soil , Nikko Blue is one of the best hydrangeas about , and even on fluxing lime land and with the prime in a rosier incarnation , it is pleasant enough . ”
Buying Nikko Blue hydrangea plants
Nikko Blue is a fairly vernacular variety and is not a brand name own by a specific ship’s company . Most garden centers should be able-bodied to order one in for you if they do n’t have it in stock .
How to plant Nikko Blue hydrangeas
Nikko Blue Hydrangeas should be planted in deep and damp soil , but it should also be well - draining ground . The decent matter about the pH level controlling the colour of the flowers is that you may very easy change that color . If planted in more acidic soils , the bush will bear blue flower . If the soil is a more alkaline blend , pink or purple blooms are probable to occur . You cantest your soiland add sure soil amendments to get the hope peak color .
If you ’d like your hydrangeas to flower in a thick true blue angel , avoid planting them near hardscaping that may leach calcium hydroxide . Limestone and concrete can both leach out birdlime , upraise the pH of the grime nearby . The leach lime incline to lead to royal - pinkish blossom over time . forfend planting dreary hydrangeas near concrete or limestone to keep them blossom blue .
These plants grow quick and typically develop to be around 6 feet marvelous and broad . Their flowers or blooming are actually called sepal and typically appear in July . They are elusive and hang in for months .
“ Plant Nikko Blue where it can be most value . It works well as an informal hedge along the edge of a lawn , or examine siting it under fledged Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with companions such as fern and hostas , or with other plants that have a light or luminous quality such as iris and astilbe . ”
Caring for Nikko Blue hydrangea shrubs
Nikko Blue hydrangeas should be planted and grown in a smear where they have partial shade . This plant apprize some morning sunlight , though too much sun can cause damage if you do n’t keep it well - water .
You should water unexampled hydrangea plant deeply and do it multiple fourth dimension a week . This will facilitate it to spring up stiff root . In ecumenical , you should essay to give these plants at least 1 inch of urine per hebdomad . This should be increased as you experience hotter conditions .
When watering these plant , you should make certain to irrigate the base of the plant to avoid getting the flowers and leaves wet . This will facilitate you to keep your plant healthy and strong by avoiding fungal disease .
Changing the color ofNikko Blue hydrangea flowers
Nikko Blue is a cultivar ofHydrangea macrophylla , which is the type of hydrangea that can change its flush color found on the pH of the soil . A soil trial run will say you the baseline soil pH so you may resolve how to rectify the soil ( and change the flower color ) .
dirt acidifiers can be used to turnNikko Blue hydrangea bloom into a rich profane people of colour . Acidifiers like sulfur and gypsum lower the pH of soils to produce blue blooming . grease acidifiers are typically apply every few months until the desired ground pH ( 4.5 - 5.0 for blue ) is reached . Some hydrangea fertiliser hold summate sulfur to help oneself keep efflorescence blue on an on-going basis .
Garden calcium hydroxide can be used to turnNikko Blue hydrangea flowers more of a purplish / pinkish color . Alkaline soil amendment like dolomite lime raise the pH of acidic soil to bring them to a more electroneutral spirit level . Garden lime is typically use in early fountain and/or early fall until the desire pH toward electroneutral is get hold of .
FertilizingNikko Blue hydrangea plants
Nikko Blue hydrangea plants can benefit from an one-year software of well - balanced , slow - release constituent fertilizer . utilize a product formulated for flowering bush if possible , and note any pH targets you may have ( see above).Nikko aristocratic plants are typically feed in early spring as they come out of winter dormancy .
Climate requirements for Nikko Blue hydrangeas
This type of hydrangea spring up good in Zones 6 to 9 , which covers many component part of the United States . These plant life are native to Japan , but can , of course of action , be grow in other locations as well . Nikko Blue is not a good selection for colder expanse , which would be intimately suit to a variety likeBloomstruck .
Mature hydrangea can withstand temperatures as low as 32 degree Fahrenheit . Younger plant life , however , should not be kept at temperature modest than 35 to 40 degree Fahrenheit . In general , hydrangeas choose fair to high levels of humidity . They will typically thrive in the moist heat of summer .
If they are in a desert mood and are queer to too much dry air , the leave of absence of the works can droop or sag . you’re able to even off for this by stool trusted the plant stays well - watered and has access to louche areas . This case of shrub choose a shady to a fond shade emplacement . It will grow good in these spots . Full sun can be brook by this works as long as constant wet or water is provided .
Pruning Nikko Blue hydrangeas
Nikko Blue Hydrangea shrubs do not need much pruning , if any . If you do feel the need to cut back them , it ’s important to know that these plant blossom on quondam wood . This means that this character of shrub peak on the late class ’s growth . This also mean that the correct time to prune this plant would be in the summer , immediately after it eat up blooming .
These plants can be snip after unfolding , and this can be done by cutting back the stems to a pair of healthy buds . you’re able to also utilize the other spring as an opportunity to clip out decrepit or discredited stems .
bud are usually set in late summertime to early fall , so you call for to clip before this if you do n’t want to risk losing any flowers for the next yr . If you prune after the bud have been set , that is what can happen . If there are any dead branches , those can be pruned out at any meter . These arm should be pruned back to where you see healthy buds grow .
Common pests that attack Nikko Blue hydrangea
Nikko Blue Hydrangeas can be attractive to plague , including aphid , spider mites , slugs , and Japanese beetles . Fortunately , recognize them is fairly straight . These gadfly are all possible to stamp down if you have the right tool .
take off by rinse off the intact plant with a sharp stream of water . Prune back any nearby plant that are crowd the shrub . Then spray the stems and foliage with an organic insecticide in accordance with the Cartesian product instructions .
Diseases affectingNikko Blue hydrangea plants
Hydrangeas are pretty susceptible to a number of industrial plant diseases , include powdery mildew , bud blight , folio blot , and bacterial wilt disease . Most of these are caused or worsen by overwatering , too much shade , or too little ventilation within your plant .
One fashion to care for disease is to diminish lacrimation and increase melodic phrase circulation around the plant . Alternatively , transfer it to an area with good dirt drainage or more air motion . Once you ’ve corrected conditions , treat with a natural antifungal .
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