Selecting the Optimal Hydrangea Variety for Your Garden: A Guide
Title: Grumpy's Guide to Hydrangeas in Sarasota, FL
Hey there! Let's get straight to the point with today's question from good ol' Carl in Sarasota, Florida: "What hydrangea can survive here?"
Grumpy's Take: Hey Carl, you're smack dab in the southern limit of where the Bigleaf hydrangea, known for its big, beautiful blue or pink blooms, will grow. To pull off a successful hydrangea planting in your neck of the woods, follow these simple steps:
- Find a spot where your hydrangea will soak up the sun in the morning and bask in the shade in the afternoon. Yes, the afternoon shade is crucial, especially in this sweltering Florida heat!
- Your soil's gonna be pretty sandy since you're near the coast. To help the soil hold onto moisture and nutrients for your hydrangea, amend it with some organic goodness, like composted cow manure or garden compost.
- Prepare to give your hydrangea a drink during hot weather. Sand goes through soil like water through a sieve, so make sure it doesn't dry out.
Grumpy's Rant: Okay, I've got a gripe that's been bugging me lately, and that's garden centers pushing these massive pots, big enough for a casket! I'd rather start with something small, like a pint or a quart pot, and watch it grow. But it's like they're buried up to their necks in this freakin' dirt! I've put in the work to cultivate soil in my garden, and I'm not digging up a hardened clay bunker every time I want a new plant! So, garden centers, let's bring back my pints and quarts. I ain't paying 30 bucks for dirt and a pair of dislocated shoulders!
Meet Your Podcast Host:
Welcome to Ask Grumpy, hosted by Steve Bender, a.k.a. Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener. Join us every Wednesday and Saturday as we tackle reader questions, solve seasonal conundrums, and drop a little humor into the world of gardening. Give us a listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to hit that subscribe button!
Tips for Gardeners in Sarasota:
- Choose a hydrangea variety that thrives in sandy soil and partial shade, such as the Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla).
- Provide morning sun and afternoon shade for your hydrangea.
- Amend sandy soil with organic matter like composted cow manure or garden compost.
- Look out for hydrangeas that need lots of water during hot spells.
Stay green, and remember - life is too short for crappy gardens!
[1] Mangold, J. (1998). "Perennials for Part Shade." Retrieved from Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ Gardens-Plants/Your-Garden/Help-for-Planting-and-Gardening/Perennials-for-Part-Shade.aspx
[2] Southern Living Plant Finder. (n.d.). "Endless Summer Hydrangea." Retrieved from Southern Living: https://www.southernliving.com/ plant-finder/endless-summer-hydrangea
NOTE: This transcript does not go through our standard editorial process, so it may include inaccuracies and grammatical errors.
- If you're a fan of the Ask Grumpy podcast, you might find the Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener, Steve Bender's, advice on hydrangeas helpful for your home-and-garden lifestyle, especially if you're trying to grow them in Sarasota, Florida.
- In the midst of exploring different podcasts, you might come across the Endless Summer Hydrangea, a variety that thrives in partial shade and sandy soil, as suggested by Southern Living's Plant Finder.
- For garden enthusiasts looking for inspiration, you can incorporate tips from the Grumpy's Guide to Hydrangeas in Sarasota, FL into your own gardening strategies, including amending sandy soil with organic matter and providing morning sun and afternoon shade for your hydrangeas.
