In the fall I cut off some old blooms and hang to dry. Around November I spray paint them (white, silver, gold) and use to make a holiday wreath for the front door.
I'm watching this video in 2024 and it is amazing to see the difference your property has made these past years. It is always nice to be able to go back to an old video of yours to remind me what I need to do with a particular plant.
Laura and Aaron, I have to comment on your weekly update video from earlier this week. I think that the reason why your videos are so successful even when you can't believe that you have come this far, is that your videos provide entertainments that is family friendly. It's hard these days to find fun and happy things to watch that don't contain elements or fear, swearing or inappropriate content. Your videos make people happy.
Agreed! I struggle with mental illness and I find myself surrounded by very negative people. Starting my day with a cup of coffee and a Garden Answer video makes everything feel more doable.
Cinzia De Luca I agree! Laura has a superpower that is so endearing! She makes us all feel like we are part of her extended family. I look forward to her videos daily!
Getting ready to start spring garden cleanup and realized that I had no idea how to care for the hydrangeas I’ve added to my garden. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such a friendly and accessible way.
Hi Laura, I just wanted to share my experience with Plant-Tone used on Macrophyllas. Last year, I experimented using Hollytone on half of my Macrophylla hydrangeas & Plant tone on half, all 13 plants are in the same location (southern exposure) & received the same care. Plant tone made them grow big strong green leaves and those plants ended up growing bigger by the end of the season, however they hardly had blooms(maybe 1 or 2 per plant.) I noticed the Hollytone macs growing at a slower rate, but they produced 2-3 more blooms than the Plant tone ones. I know macs set their buds the season before, but I suspect this coming season will be the true results of my experiment last year. (All my hydrangeas were only in their 2nd season, this year they are going into their 3rd, we live in Zone 6a-6b) Hope this helps ☺️
Super useful information, thank you! My family has a tiny hydrangea and I was wondering what I could do to help it grow a bit more. I'm also in Zone 6a. :)
Allison I’ve read many times that hydrangeas don’t necessarily need any fertilizer, I used miracle grow on mine year before last so, last summer I only had 1-2 blooms per bush, I’ll never do it again .
@@sherrikoran9471 yes, ive had same experience! Same bed, one gets miracle gro run off from hanging plants resulting less blooms but vigorous plant. The other no fertilizer and is smaller but gets many flowers.
I cant thank you enough for teaching us about Hydrangeas. I feel now I am confident enough to go to my garden center and ask for what I want. I am going to plant my first hydrangeas this year.
Last year I followed your lead for my Hydrangeas & had good luck! I would go out today but my area is supposed to get storms! Today's video, at least for me, is a good refresher!! To my gardening community stay healthy, safe & HAPPY GARDENING!!!! 😊🌷🌺🌻🌹🌿💚⚘💚🌿
This video was super helpful! Usually I feel like I have to watch 5 or more youtube vids per plant to understand and feel confident enough, but this was the first hydrangea care video and it was so thorough and helpful, from fertilizer, to pruning to different types, plus including the end bit showing each pruning was so helpful as well, that I don't feel I need to keep searching for more - I'm ready to tackle my yard, thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful gardens!! Thanks for the hydrangea info. I have several, a couple oak leaf, a few "Lady in Red", and some that are just big old unidentified hydrangesas. I love that you include Russel. I love cats - they are as peaceful as a garden!
This brings me both joy and jealousy as we’re in a snowstorm in south central SD. Thank you for the welcome distraction and happy first day of spring! ❄️🌷
Thank you for the simplicity explaining the process of pruning hydrangeas I understood every thing. I love the way you make it easy for all of us to understand the process.
Just FYI, you can take those last year blooms and use gold spray paint and spray them. They work great in artificial arrangements or in any real flower arrangement.. You can also use any color of paint you like.
I'm from the Netherlands and it's so nice watching your videos, especially because in our country we are struggling with what precautions to take against the Corona virus, and more and more patients in hospitals everyday and more infections everyday. A lot of industry is affected and are worried about going bankrupt in the end. The flower industry is taking a big blow as well, and nurseries etc are giving away thousands of plants for free, that's better than throwing them away.. It's really sad... But I hope your family stays well and that you can keep posting 'normal' videos everyday. Thank you.
Miranda i think US is just getting to where your country is now. It looks there will be an enormous impact on the economy world-wide. And I doubt strongly our nurseries will be giving away plants for free, they just rather let them die and then throw away, sadly. Laura's videos do bring a sense of normality and take thoughts away from worries. Stay safe and healthy!
I just moved into a new home. Pruned mine yesterday. I noticed several weak looking branches but was terrified to hurt the plant by taking them out. I may revisit today. Thanks for the video.
Perhaps think of it as going through your closet, getting rid of clothes that no longer fit, have tears or stains. Leaves more space for your nice things to hang and breathe. 🤗
2 hydrangea videos in one day is so relaxing. You have so much coming up, your tulips are going to be gorgeous this year. As soon as I get a moderately clear day I can get started in my yard.
Hi! Laura. Love the vlog, very inspiring. Here in the UK we are self isolating because we have flu like symptoms. I have been thinking how lovely it would be to get out on the garden. As soon as I can I will be out there, all that fresh air. Stay safe. Love from the uk ☺
Laura, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I watch this video every year for motivation & as a refresher to prune my hydrangeas. All of mine are thriving & beautiful thanks to you.
Watching Russel hang with you just makes me happy!! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, I am enjoying your channel SO MUCH! Just a pleasure to watch!
Making the flowers available to the birds 🐦 for nest making material's.. you have a great platform to remind viewers about the sustainability not just for us.. gardens are for your wildlife too
May I presume that hydrangeas are one of your specialties....remembered one of your videos totally devoted to hydrangeas and I was mesmerized.... Thanks so much for sharing...❤💖💝
Heh, I always think of Laura as specialising in hydrangeas... that's how I even came across her. I was looking up information about hydrangeas, as I really wanted some in my garden. Binge-watched as many of her hydrangea vids that i could find.
This video also showed us your tulips are coming along nicely, look forward to seeing that video. I work for a plant vendor to a local store, ever since finding you I've been telling people to look up any questions they have about gardening. I'm happy to say they are, and I get a really nice Thank you from them. I plan on sending more this yr. P.S. it's nice to see how much Russell loves you guys, and what a big help he turned out to be, I think he thought you missed a spot.
Thank you so much for explaining the reason behind the "cut back by a third" rule! It's so hard to find that sort of information on places like Google, but it's key to know things like this - otherwise you just don't know if it's a rule you can break or not or what the consequences of breaking the rule might be.
Hi Jim, I didn’t seem to catch when to cut back by a third, would it be in the fall or early spring. I have mop heads and live in a 7 or 8 area. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Thank you Laura and Aaron. I am blown away by how thorough every video you create is. I have a large landscaping project to plan and I do have existing gardens so I have enjoyed many of your videos..in truth I am addicted!
You're like a breath of fresh air. With all this coronavirus news, I've been having so much anxiety. Today my migraine wz worse had to turn off the news & cz I feel so much relaxed watching ur videos. I can watch them all day:) Tmrw will be in the 70s Planning on getting out there and cleaning my front and back little gardens here in New Jersey I think I have seeds bulbs from last year hope they're still good:)
I agree ☝️ I am just going to ignore all the negativity and work in my yard and I’ve grown plants my whole life and hydrangeas are my favorite plants but I admit I love all plants we simply grow every thing including our vegetables and we can them so we don’t have to worry about if they have a problem or not. It’s awful that people have to deal with all this stuff, food and now eggs oh well I will have chickens again, no egg issues with that solution. The truth is sounds like when I was growing up on our farm we rarely had to go to a store and we didn’t mind at all and my mom taught me about plants and my great aunt had the most beautiful hydrangeas and I have never seen anything so beautiful as the old variety of blue flowers hers always produced and I suppose she also inspired me to grow plants as well. You have a beautiful day enjoy your garden the video on hydrangea plants.
I was the APP “Picture This” to identify specific plants and flowers. So helpful for what you don’t know you have and what you might want to have. Love you, love your videos, love your family. I’ve learned so much from you.
Hey Laura, in isolation over here in the UK and just wanted to say thank you for your videos. They are a little bit of brightness and they make me feel like I have been outside. Hope you and the fam are keeping well over in the US.
Thank you for your daily videos. I have been binge watching all of them. They bring a feeling of calm amongst all the virus fear and worry. thank you again.
Hoping mine bloom this year. I moved them last month into a morning sun spot and out of the evening sun. Idk why I planted them west facing originally. They haven't bloomed in several years. Maybe this will be my lucky year for them! Thank you for the tips!
Hello Laura & Aron: Thank you for your videos. I'm in tropical Puerto Rico. Since Monday everyone in the Island are in house lockdown during the day and curfew lock from 9pm-5am due to coronavirus for the next 15 days.. Your videos had been a blessing because had keeps me company, my mind occupied, very educative and well entertain with positive attitude. God bless you. Keep making videos. Regards, Janice Rivera.... Bayámon, Puerto Rico.
I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying your videos. I'm a long-time viewer, but with the quarantine and the rain we've had in St. Louis this week (I can't get out and garden myself and organizing clothes just isn't the same) they've been especially uplifting. Thanks!
There's an animal shelter here that uses descriptions for each of the personality types of cats up for adoption to help you better choose the right pet for you. Whenver I see Russel, I always think of the one called "Personal Assistant". He is always there wanting to be "helpful".
Or you can relocate it in a sunnier spot, 1 more year, let it green up this year. Next year if you don’t see blooms then get rid of it. I relocated hydrangeas into a shadier spot and they did not perform they only Greenup for me, I relocated them in a spot that had more sun but not full sun, a south facing spot and they bloomed for me!! 😊
Hi! Love this! Almost pruned my hydrangeas in the fall....so glad I watched this video! I do have a question though....how do I prune really old hydrangeas that are over grown and too high? Thanks!
We moved into a new place in January this year and have many hydrangeas (which are my favorite flower🥰) and so glad to have found this video to help me make sure I do them right. Thank you!
Great video. I have one of the early Endless Summer hydrangeas. Have alway put our coffee grounds around the plant and have lovely intense blue blooms. We live in zone 5 in east central IL
I was comparing the label on Bulb Tone and Plant Tone bags yesterday. The ingredients look very similar, and the NPK numbers are within a point or two. Holly Tone is also similar. Really makes me wonder if you really need all these different products ($) or just stick with one.
Your videos always come at the perfect time and are SOO helpful! We are planting 4 hydrangeas today and I've watched all your videos on planting hydrangeas.You've taught me so much! Thank you!!
If it ever stops raining here (7 inches this week already) I will be able to fertilize. At one point my tiny little BoBo's where completely under water so was very happy to see signs of life a few days ago.
Russell was trying to help you fertilize, he's so cute! I knew you had a bunch of hydrangeas, I just didn't know how many until this video. I love them also, so I'll plant more this year. I especially love the ones that are on standards, are those grafted, or did you prune them to look that way? Wow, you have tulips that are starting to bloom, how wonderful!
We moved over 4 years ago into a house that has a small hydrangea garden out front and I have had no clue how to maintain and care for them. Your video was extremely helpful. Thank you!
Hi Laura, Love yr weather U r getting, can U please send some our way in the Maritimes so I can get busy in my gardens!!! My Question is... It makes me kind of nervous when I see yr furbaby Russell hanging out so close to you when U r sprinkling fertilizer. Aren't you worried about all that dust his little nose is breathing in even though it says organic, it's still really dusty and a processed fertilizer? P. S., Love that yr carrying on as usual for us, people like you give us a good feeling during these troubled times! Thank you!
probably feels pretty good to get that chore done... they are so gorgeous when they bloom, that the little amount of work required is so worth it!! do you fertilize them again during the year or just this once? (you've probably said but i can't remember, sorry)... you are having such beautiful weather.. we are wet, wet, and more wet down here in socal.. but we need it, i suppose..
Hi Laura and all the Garden Answer Followers - thanks for all for the great info on pruning the Pee Gee hydrangeas - my hydrangeas are still asleep. I live in Northwest Indiana and this weekend 3/30/20 snow is in the forecast however I have Holly-tone but I will be purchasing Rose Tone this year. My hydrangeas are not the nicest looking ones on the block but hopefully this year with the proper pruning and feeding I will have better luck . (That Russell is a card-I just adore him-I call him the KING of Photo Bombing)
Trimmed my hydrangeas today. First I was a little timid, but once I got in there and reviewed your video, I did a thorough job. Ran out of energy, will fertilize in a few days. Excited to see how they will look in a few weeks. This is there third year. First year no blooms, lots last year, but had to spry often to keep the dear away.
Laura, I love your daily videos. Thank you for inspiring me! I have found how to get rid of bind weed, I learned this from my farmer father. Watch for the first predicted frost in fall. Two days before the first frost , spray round up directly on bindweed. It may take 2 to 3 years, but I totally got rid of it in my garden! It was in my raspberries too, but I didn't want to kill those plants, so when I saw it STARTING to grow in the spring I cut out the bottom of a milk jug or pop bottle, leaving the lid on, then let it grow all summer in those bottles in my raspberry patch instead of growing up the canes of the raspberries. In Oct, 2 days before the first frost. I removed the jug lids and squirted roundup down the jug opening, making sure to not spray raspberries. Like I said earlier, I had to do this for 2 or 3 years, but I now do not have bind weed. My dad taught me that timing is everything. Before frost that weed is taking all energy to its roots, so spraying right before the frost, takes the poison to the roots.
I accidently cut my hydrangeas 3 seasons ago and they havent bloomed since. I still dont know what kind they are.... yes Laura, I think you're right... I'm gunna pull it out. I feel so bad!
Is there something I should know? I cut mine down 3 years ago also. The Bush itself is gorgeous, but not one flower. I believe it is a big lead, but not sure. Help.
@@terryharl7949 I've been in my home for 8 years and when we moved in the garden was already established. In my case and maybe yours as well... the plant is just old and past its prime.
What zone are you in? My macrophylla types bloom if we have a mild winter and don't if it's a harsh one. I'm zone 4, but sometimes winters are more like 5 and my plants are really a zone 5.
I've had my hydrangeas for about 7 yrs. First 3 yrs. no blooms at all, 4th yr. 2 to 3 blooms, 5th yr. 4 blooms and this year 5 to 6 huge blooms biggest ever. What I did differently last year was cut back a little more than year before because first 4 yrs. I wasn't aware to cut back. This year after cutting back I will use Hollytone now that I'm aware. Thanks.
I’m brand new to growing hydrangeas, and I bought an Endless Summer hydrangea. It says it’s a hybrid that grows on both old and new wood. Should I cut to the new growing buds or cut the old stalks off?
I have one of these too. I only have 1 or 2 blooms and my plant is at least 4yrs old. I tried cutting it all the way back and not cutting at all, still no blooms. Going to try fertilizer this year and see what happens. I also took some of the babies at the base of plant and moved to different light areas to see if that is the problem. Very disappointed in this plant. Hopefully I will get more blooms this season. If not, may do what Laura says and get rid of it!
Thanks for demystifying this for most of us. I hope to plant more this year 🥰. How do you fertilize around the drip line of the hydrangeas that have all of those tulips coming up around the base them?
Maria Folch thank you. Some how I missed that small piece of that video. I wonder if the hydrangea will actually get the nutrients or if the tulips will. There are so many tulip bulbs growing in that area it’s amazing! 😍🌷
Appreciate the option of both the full length video on your highlights channel, as well as the shorter edited video. Theses days, the longer videos the better for multiple reasons: still snow here in Manitoba, so gardening vicariously through you, and filling isolation time these days!
Last spring, the deer or rabbits ate all my tulips after leaves and buds appeared! So I added crushed egg shells into the soil when I planted more bulbs last fall and also after leaves sprouted this spring. It seems to keep the animals away. Now I am enjoying the beautiful tulips!
I have 13 Hydrangeas (2 are climbers on an arbor) and thought I had a lot. I have had one in a pot for 16 years and it only puts on 3 or 4 blooms a year but the leaves are to die for. I also have one more in the ground that is older that only puts 3 or 4 blooms a year but again it is huge and the leaves are gorgeous. Can't get rid of them Laura even if they don't preform bloom wise so well. This was a very informative video. Russel was only doing what you were doing by scratching in the RoseTone.
Maybe you just need to use a fertilizer for blooms. I believe it is the middle number of the three... phosphorus? Can't remember right now. It sounds like they might be getting a little too much nitrogen if you have gorgeous leaves and few blooms. It's worth a try!
Some years I cut back my Nikko's to the ground to restore structure and rarely fertilize. They always have fantastic blooms! I find the most important thing is adequate moisture!!
Laura, I LOVE hydrangeas. They’re the plant I can’t kill. Haha. Limelight’s have been a huge success in our garden and have been in the ground, blooming for 5 seasons and always have lots of blooms. They’re big and tall now bc I wanted them to reach their full potential after annual pruning. However, I feel like I need to prune them way back to give them a “reset.” Their main stems are about 1” around at the base. Is this a good idea for very mature plants, or should I continue pruning as usual?
I have some pink diamond paniculata trees in my front yard and I followed your pruning process and they’ve been beautiful for three years now. I just watched this again because I needed a refresher because it’s pruning time again so thank you for having this out here. My Penny Mac Hydrangeas on the other hand have not really been performing well. Year one it started to get warm in March so the buds were developing and then we had a major blizzard and cold snap which I think damaged the buds, so no real blooms to speak of that year Year 2 was extremely hot and dry with some temperatures around 105 It was very hot. I did try to water a lot, but it was very challenging for them that summer. This is the third year so I’m hoping that the little rhyme that says “the first year they sleep the second year they creep and the third year they leap” holds true. I’m not going to prune those this year because they really didn’t have blooms last year but I will go out and put some Rose tone around the drip line and clear the leaves from the base from the winter and keep my fingers crossed. I also bought some fire lights at the end of the season at a nursery that were in the clearance section. I just planted those in some larger containers with a nice compost mix and potting soil so, hopefully with the nourishment they will take and thrive It’s rainy here this week in zone 6B which is far better than snow and hopefully everything will get a nice delicious drink which will encourage them to grow.! Thank you so much for all of your gardening tips and sharing what you’ve got going on there!
THIS is the video I’ve been wanting and needing since buying my hydrangeas last year and not knowing how to prune them! Thank you!!! Now to figure out what kind I have :)
I can’t wait. I’m planting several lime lite variety this year. It’s been so rainy here this week, but maybe next week. I love yours and it inspired me last year to redo a bed and take out a tree that we have babies too long. Now I have a wonderful spot for them. Thanks Laura. 👏🏻💕👏🏻
In the fall I cut off some old blooms and hang to dry. Around November I spray paint them (white, silver, gold) and use to make a holiday wreath for the front door.
I love this idea!
Good idea. I’m going to try that
Wonderful! I’m doing it.
Great idea! ❤️❤️❤️
My family does the same :) they’re so pretty in metallic at Christmas
I'm watching this video in 2024 and it is amazing to see the difference your property has made these past years. It is always nice to be able to go back to an old video of yours to remind me what I need to do with a particular plant.
Laura and Aaron, I have to comment on your weekly update video from earlier this week. I think that the reason why your videos are so successful even when you can't believe that you have come this far, is that your videos provide entertainments that is family friendly. It's hard these days to find fun and happy things to watch that don't contain elements or fear, swearing or inappropriate content. Your videos make people happy.
Cinzia, isn't that the truth...their videos are so uplifting!
@@annil774 yes, I agree wholeheartedly that they are uplifting. Laura and Aaron help me relax after a stressful work day.
Agreed! I struggle with mental illness and I find myself surrounded by very negative people. Starting my day with a cup of coffee and a Garden Answer video makes everything feel more doable.
Cinzia De Luca I agree! Laura has a superpower that is so endearing! She makes us all feel like we are part of her extended family. I look forward to her videos daily!
@@cinziadeluca5074 true
I watched a previous video of you cutting a hydrangea but it’s always helpful to see it again. Thanks for the reminder!
Daisee hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
Your cat adores you!!! Adorable that he is always with you! Love your videos-Thanks!
Russel is so sweet...I love how your cats sometimes follow you around when you make garden tour.
Just love Russell. He’s a dog in cat fur. I have never seen a cat that follows you around. So sweet.
I have a black and white cat .. Watson.. he thinks he’s a dog too ! He follows me everywhere and enjoys rides in the Polaris ! 😋
I can't even imagine the amount of up keep, and pruning and cleaning youl guys have in a season.
Getting ready to start spring garden cleanup and realized that I had no idea how to care for the hydrangeas I’ve added to my garden. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such a friendly and accessible way.
Hi Laura, I just wanted to share my experience with Plant-Tone used on Macrophyllas. Last year, I experimented using Hollytone on half of my Macrophylla hydrangeas & Plant tone on half, all 13 plants are in the same location (southern exposure) & received the same care. Plant tone made them grow big strong green leaves and those plants ended up growing bigger by the end of the season, however they hardly had blooms(maybe 1 or 2 per plant.) I noticed the Hollytone macs growing at a slower rate, but they produced 2-3 more blooms than the Plant tone ones. I know macs set their buds the season before, but I suspect this coming season will be the true results of my experiment last year. (All my hydrangeas were only in their 2nd season, this year they are going into their 3rd, we live in Zone 6a-6b) Hope this helps ☺️
Super useful information, thank you! My family has a tiny hydrangea and I was wondering what I could do to help it grow a bit more. I'm also in Zone 6a. :)
Allison I’ve read many times that hydrangeas don’t necessarily need any fertilizer, I used miracle grow on mine year before last so, last summer I only had 1-2 blooms per bush, I’ll never do it again .
@@sherrikoran9471 yes, ive had same experience! Same bed, one gets miracle gro run off from hanging plants resulting less blooms but vigorous plant. The other no fertilizer and is smaller but gets many flowers.
Allison, I'd love to hear what happens this year!
@@sherrikoran9471 I've had the same experience! I won't fertilize again. Thanks for sharing!😊🌷
I cant thank you enough for teaching us about Hydrangeas. I feel now I am confident enough to go to my garden center and ask for what I want. I am going to plant my first hydrangeas this year.
Last year I followed your lead for my Hydrangeas & had good luck! I would go out today but my area is supposed to get storms! Today's video, at least for me, is a good refresher!! To my gardening community stay healthy, safe & HAPPY GARDENING!!!! 😊🌷🌺🌻🌹🌿💚⚘💚🌿
You are an excellent teacher. Thanks for your tutorials, Laura. I learn something from you with each new video. Great job filming, Aaron.
This video was super helpful! Usually I feel like I have to watch 5 or more youtube vids per plant to understand and feel confident enough, but this was the first hydrangea care video and it was so thorough and helpful, from fertilizer, to pruning to different types, plus including the end bit showing each pruning was so helpful as well, that I don't feel I need to keep searching for more - I'm ready to tackle my yard, thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful gardens!! Thanks for the hydrangea info. I have several, a couple oak leaf, a few "Lady in Red", and some that are just big old unidentified hydrangesas. I love that you include Russel. I love cats - they are as peaceful as a garden!
This brings me both joy and jealousy as we’re in a snowstorm in south central SD. Thank you for the welcome distraction and happy first day of spring! ❄️🌷
Colorado got snow too.
Thank you for the simplicity explaining the process of pruning hydrangeas I understood every thing. I love the way you make it easy for all of us to understand the process.
Georgia hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
Love this little man🐈RUSSELL🐈
This was such a helpful video! I've been confused about when and how to prune hydrangeas for a long time. THANK YOU!
Without exception, the best video on fertilizing hydrangeas. Merci bien, Laura.
It must be incredibly satisfying to watch these videos back after all the hard work is done! Your energy is inspiring.
Kellyn sacred heart Fairfield Ohio
What about endless Summer hydrangea‘s when do you prune?
Just FYI, you can take those last year blooms and use gold spray paint and spray them. They work great in artificial arrangements or in any real flower arrangement.. You can also use any color of paint you like.
I'm from the Netherlands and it's so nice watching your videos, especially because in our country we are struggling with what precautions to take against the Corona virus, and more and more patients in hospitals everyday and more infections everyday. A lot of industry is affected and are worried about going bankrupt in the end. The flower industry is taking a big blow as well, and nurseries etc are giving away thousands of plants for free, that's better than throwing them away.. It's really sad... But I hope your family stays well and that you can keep posting 'normal' videos everyday. Thank you.
Miranda i think US is just getting to where your country is now. It looks there will be an enormous impact on the economy world-wide. And I doubt strongly our nurseries will be giving away plants for free, they just rather let them die and then throw away, sadly. Laura's videos do bring a sense of normality and take thoughts away from worries. Stay safe and healthy!
Your videos are a bright spot in these worrisome times. Thank you!
I just moved into a new home. Pruned mine yesterday. I noticed several weak looking branches but was terrified to hurt the plant by taking them out. I may revisit today. Thanks for the video.
Perhaps think of it as going through your closet, getting rid of clothes that no longer fit, have tears or stains. Leaves more space for your nice things to hang and breathe. 🤗
2 hydrangea videos in one day is so relaxing. You have so much coming up, your tulips are going to be gorgeous this year. As soon as I get a moderately clear day I can get started in my yard.
Hi! Laura. Love the vlog, very inspiring. Here in the UK we are self isolating because we have flu like symptoms. I have been thinking how lovely it would be to get out on the garden. As soon as I can I will be out there, all that fresh air. Stay safe. Love from the uk ☺
Laura, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I watch this video every year for motivation & as a refresher to prune my hydrangeas. All of mine are thriving & beautiful thanks to you.
Watching Russel hang with you just makes me happy!! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, I am enjoying your channel SO MUCH! Just a pleasure to watch!
Making the flowers available to the birds 🐦 for nest making material's.. you have a great platform to remind viewers about the sustainability not just for us.. gardens are for your wildlife too
May I presume that hydrangeas are one of your specialties....remembered one of your videos totally devoted to hydrangeas and I was mesmerized....
Thanks so much for sharing...❤💖💝
Heh, I always think of Laura as specialising in hydrangeas... that's how I even came across her. I was looking up information about hydrangeas, as I really wanted some in my garden. Binge-watched as many of her hydrangea vids that i could find.
@@jimbailey3705... ok...thanks for enlightening me. All the best in your garden...💖💝
This video also showed us your tulips are coming along nicely, look forward to seeing that video. I work for a plant vendor to a local store, ever since finding you I've been telling people to look up any questions they have about gardening. I'm happy to say they are, and I get a really nice Thank you from them. I plan on sending more this yr. P.S. it's nice to see how much Russell loves you guys, and what a big help he turned out to be, I think he thought you missed a spot.
Thank you so much for explaining the reason behind the "cut back by a third" rule! It's so hard to find that sort of information on places like Google, but it's key to know things like this - otherwise you just don't know if it's a rule you can break or not or what the consequences of breaking the rule might be.
Hi Jim, I didn’t seem to catch when to cut back by a third, would it be in the fall or early spring. I have mop heads and live in a 7 or 8 area. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Thank you Laura and Aaron. I am blown away by how thorough every video you create is. I have a large landscaping project to plan and I do have existing gardens so I have enjoyed many of your videos..in truth I am addicted!
So glad I found your channel! The cat is adorable!
You're like a breath of fresh air. With all this coronavirus news, I've been having so much anxiety. Today my migraine wz worse had to turn off the news & cz I feel so much relaxed watching ur videos. I can watch them all day:) Tmrw will be in the 70s Planning on getting out there and cleaning my front and back little gardens here in New Jersey I think I have seeds bulbs from last year hope they're still good:)
I agree ☝️ I am just going to ignore all the negativity and work in my yard and I’ve grown plants my whole life and hydrangeas are my favorite plants but I admit I love all plants we simply grow every thing including our vegetables and we can them so we don’t have to worry about if they have a problem or not. It’s awful that people have to deal with all this stuff, food and now eggs oh well I will have chickens again, no egg issues with that solution. The truth is sounds like when I was growing up on our farm we rarely had to go to a store and we didn’t mind at all and my mom taught me about plants and my great aunt had the most beautiful hydrangeas and I have never seen anything so beautiful as the old variety of blue flowers hers always produced and I suppose she also inspired me to grow plants as well. You have a beautiful day enjoy your garden the video on hydrangea plants.
I hope you know, a house isn't a home without a humble Ginger cat, I'm so glad you had Feline assistance.
I enjoyed watching right before heading out to prune my mother’s lime line hydrangeas this morning.
Lime Light?
Perfect timing! Now to go prune my own Limelight standards. Thanks for explaining so well.
Laura, your gardens, being more established this year should be absolutely stunning, I can’t wait.
Thank you! This was so helpful , and it was a welcome distraction from all that’s happening in the world right now. ❤️
Linda hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
I was the APP “Picture This” to identify specific plants and flowers. So helpful for what you don’t know you have and what you might want to have. Love you, love your videos, love your family. I’ve learned so much from you.
Hey Laura, in isolation over here in the UK and just wanted to say thank you for your videos. They are a little bit of brightness and they make me feel like I have been outside. Hope you and the fam are keeping well over in the US.
Thank you for your daily videos. I have been binge watching all of them. They bring a feeling of calm amongst all the virus fear and worry. thank you again.
Hoping mine bloom this year. I moved them last month into a morning sun spot and out of the evening sun. Idk why I planted them west facing originally. They haven't bloomed in several years. Maybe this will be my lucky year for them! Thank you for the tips!
Hello Laura & Aron: Thank you for your videos. I'm in tropical Puerto Rico. Since Monday everyone in the Island are in house lockdown during the day and curfew lock from 9pm-5am due to coronavirus for the next 15 days.. Your videos had been a blessing because had keeps me company, my mind occupied, very educative and well entertain with positive attitude. God bless you. Keep making videos. Regards, Janice Rivera.... Bayámon, Puerto Rico.
Janice hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
I love playing “where’s Russell?” In the sped up footage 💕
I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying your videos. I'm a long-time viewer, but with the quarantine and the rain we've had in St. Louis this week (I can't get out and garden myself and organizing clothes just isn't the same) they've been especially uplifting. Thanks!
There's an animal shelter here that uses descriptions for each of the personality types of cats up for adoption to help you better choose the right pet for you. Whenver I see Russel, I always think of the one called "Personal Assistant". He is always there wanting to be "helpful".
The orange cats are the friendliest...and they are always male.
@@Robinicat Nope. I have had 2 female orange cats. The majority seem to be male but not all.
@@lotus.... You are right! I just read that 1 in 5 orange cats
is female...so that's not so rare.
I appreciate the full explanation of your pruning and fertilizing methods. Thank you for sharing.
Or you can relocate it in a sunnier spot, 1 more year, let it green up this year. Next year if you don’t see blooms then get rid of it. I relocated hydrangeas into a shadier spot and they did not perform they only Greenup for me, I relocated them in a spot that had more sun but not full sun, a south facing spot and they bloomed for me!! 😊
Thanks for this excellent hydrangea fertilization and pruning video. Now I dare to work my hydrangeas
Isabella hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
Hi! Love this! Almost pruned my hydrangeas in the fall....so glad I watched this video! I do have a question though....how do I prune really old hydrangeas that are over grown and too high? Thanks!
I'd like to know that also??
We moved into a new place in January this year and have many hydrangeas (which are my favorite flower🥰) and so glad to have found this video to help me make sure I do them right. Thank you!
Great video. I have one of the early Endless Summer hydrangeas. Have alway put our coffee grounds around the plant and have lovely intense blue blooms. We live in zone 5 in east central IL
Hi Laura and Aaron! I don't have any Hydrangeas, but still enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing this for those that do have them!
I was comparing the label on Bulb Tone and Plant Tone bags yesterday. The ingredients look very similar, and the NPK numbers are within a point or two. Holly Tone is also similar. Really makes me wonder if you really need all these different products ($) or just stick with one.
My soil is 7.8 pH. I only use Hollytone in all beds.
I've had a lot of luck with just regular Plantone. Dried blood is good too, it's full of iron and it keeps the squirrels away from the bulbs.
L v For the first time it tried the dried blood this year, we’ll see how it works.
@@krehbein if your using it to keep animals away you'll need to put some down after it rains, otherwise it'll wash away.
P Needel kur
Your videos always come at the perfect time and are SOO helpful! We are planting 4 hydrangeas today and I've watched all your videos on planting hydrangeas.You've taught me so much! Thank you!!
Marangelie hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
If it ever stops raining here (7 inches this week already) I will be able to fertilize. At one point my tiny little BoBo's where completely under water so was very happy to see signs of life a few days ago.
I love your videos. I learn so much from you. Thank you for all your information. It's like I have a virtual gardening friend.
Russell was trying to help you fertilize, he's so cute! I knew you had a bunch of hydrangeas, I just didn't know how many until this video. I love them also, so I'll plant more this year. I especially love the ones that are on standards, are those grafted, or did you prune them to look that way? Wow, you have tulips that are starting to bloom, how wonderful!
We moved over 4 years ago into a house that has a small hydrangea garden out front and I have had no clue how to maintain and care for them. Your video was extremely helpful. Thank you!
Hi Laura,
Love yr weather U r getting, can U please send some our way in the Maritimes so I can get busy in my gardens!!!
My Question is... It makes me kind of nervous when I see yr furbaby Russell hanging out so close to you when U r sprinkling fertilizer.
Aren't you worried about all that dust his little nose is breathing in even though it says organic, it's still really dusty and a processed fertilizer? P. S., Love that yr carrying on as usual for us, people like you give us a good feeling during these troubled times!
Thank you!
Yeah I so agree, too risky for cats when doing chemical stuff
Thank you for showing how to take care of my hydrangeas. Really like the music.
How does Russell know where to position himself in order to be the star of the show?
He's a cat, they intuitively know these things.
I was just going to say "He's a cat! It's what they do!"
wait, I'm confused, didn't he pass away?
No, that was Dexter.
@@carlaradke4066 Dexter is in cat heaven.
Thanks for the link to unedited version. We love them both.
probably feels pretty good to get that chore done... they are so gorgeous when they bloom, that the little amount of work required is so worth it!! do you fertilize them again during the year or just this once? (you've probably said but i can't remember, sorry)... you are having such beautiful weather.. we are wet, wet, and more wet down here in socal.. but we need it, i suppose..
Fill you with joy-exactly! In the Navajo language, that is exactly what flowers are called-the plant that brings happiness ✨🌷✨.
Thank you!
Your cat is always around to help with production...hahaha
Hi Laura and all the Garden Answer Followers - thanks for all for the great info on pruning the Pee Gee hydrangeas - my hydrangeas are still asleep. I live in Northwest Indiana and this weekend 3/30/20 snow is in the forecast however I have Holly-tone but I will be purchasing Rose Tone this year. My hydrangeas are not the nicest looking ones on the block but hopefully this year with the proper pruning and feeding I will have better luck . (That Russell is a card-I just adore him-I call him the KING of Photo Bombing)
Thought you were going to say "there's alot of fear around the world," or "around the coronavirus." Thanks for sticking with hydrangeas 😋
Trimmed my hydrangeas today. First I was a little timid, but once I got in there and reviewed your video, I did a thorough job. Ran out of energy, will fertilize in a few days. Excited to see how they will look in a few weeks. This is there third year. First year no blooms, lots last year, but had to spry often to keep the dear away.
Hi Laura, will you save the dried blooms for projects in the fall? Is it worth trying to save them for any projects?
Laura, I love your daily videos. Thank you for inspiring me!
I have found how to get rid of bind weed, I learned this from my farmer father. Watch for the first predicted frost in fall. Two days before the first frost , spray round up directly on bindweed. It may take 2 to 3 years, but I totally got rid of it in my garden! It was in my raspberries too, but I didn't want to kill those plants, so when I saw it STARTING to grow in the spring I cut out the bottom of a milk jug or pop bottle, leaving the lid on, then let it grow all summer in those bottles in my raspberry patch instead of growing up the canes of the raspberries. In Oct, 2 days before the first frost. I removed the jug lids and squirted roundup down the jug opening, making sure to not spray raspberries. Like I said earlier, I had to do this for 2 or 3 years, but I now do not have bind weed. My dad taught me that timing is everything. Before frost that weed is taking all energy to its roots, so spraying right before the frost, takes the poison to the roots.
I accidently cut my hydrangeas 3 seasons ago and they havent bloomed since. I still dont know what kind they are.... yes Laura, I think you're right... I'm gunna pull it out. I feel so bad!
have you fertilized since then? if not, might try that before giving up 😀
Emily Leetch been there😀
Is there something I should know? I cut mine down 3 years ago also. The Bush itself is gorgeous, but not one flower. I believe it is a big lead, but not sure. Help.
@@terryharl7949 I've been in my home for 8 years and when we moved in the garden was already established. In my case and maybe yours as well... the plant is just old and past its prime.
What zone are you in? My macrophylla types bloom if we have a mild winter and don't if it's a harsh one. I'm zone 4, but sometimes winters are more like 5 and my plants are really a zone 5.
I've had my hydrangeas for about 7 yrs. First 3 yrs. no blooms at all, 4th yr. 2 to 3 blooms, 5th yr. 4 blooms and this year 5 to 6 huge blooms biggest ever. What I did differently last year was cut back a little more than year before because first 4 yrs. I wasn't aware to cut back. This year after cutting back I will use Hollytone now that I'm aware. Thanks.
Or Rosetone, they both are very good.
I’m brand new to growing hydrangeas, and I bought an Endless Summer hydrangea. It says it’s a hybrid that grows on both old and new wood. Should I cut to the new growing buds or cut the old stalks off?
I have one of these too. I only have 1 or 2 blooms and my plant is at least 4yrs old. I tried cutting it all the way back and not cutting at all, still no blooms. Going to try fertilizer this year and see what happens. I also took some of the babies at the base of plant and moved to different light areas to see if that is the problem. Very disappointed in this plant. Hopefully I will get more blooms this season. If not, may do what Laura says and get rid of it!
I watched this video last year. I used rose tone twice. My hydrangeas were big and beautiful with tons of flowers. I had many compliments
I’m waiting for these rainy days to pass before I tackle mine! Stay safe everyone! Thanks Laura
Marisa hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
I'm doing mine this weekend when the rain stops. Good job Laura 🌻💗🌻💗
Thanks for demystifying this for most of us. I hope to plant more this year 🥰. How do you fertilize around the drip line of the hydrangeas that have all of those tulips coming up around the base them?
Watch the unedited video
Maria Folch thank you. Some how I missed that small piece of that video. I wonder if the hydrangea will actually get the nutrients or if the tulips will. There are so many tulip bulbs growing in that area it’s amazing! 😍🌷
@@laurenwellman2516 I am certain that the tulips within close proximity will also benefit from the fertilizer.
Appreciate the option of both the full length video on your highlights channel, as well as the shorter edited video. Theses days, the longer videos the better for multiple reasons: still snow here in Manitoba, so gardening vicariously through you, and filling isolation time these days!
Could we have a tulip tour before they’re all in bloom to see there progress? I saw them coming up so nicely! Exciting!!
I second that 🙋🏻♀️
Last spring, the deer or rabbits ate all my tulips after leaves and buds appeared! So I added crushed egg shells into the soil when I planted more bulbs last fall and also after leaves sprouted this spring. It seems to keep the animals away. Now I am enjoying the beautiful tulips!
I have 13 Hydrangeas (2 are climbers on an arbor) and thought I had a lot. I have had one in a pot for 16 years and it only puts on 3 or 4 blooms a year but the leaves are to die for. I also have one more in the ground that is older that only puts 3 or 4 blooms a year but again it is huge and the leaves are gorgeous. Can't get rid of them Laura even if they don't preform bloom wise so well. This was a very informative video. Russel was only doing what you were doing by scratching in the RoseTone.
Maybe you just need to use a fertilizer for blooms. I believe it is the middle number of the three... phosphorus? Can't remember right now. It sounds like they might be getting a little too much nitrogen if you have gorgeous leaves and few blooms. It's worth a try!
You can also play spot Russell game watching these videos;) especially in the fast motion😂
Hello I’m really impressed with your comment, if you don’t mind friendship please were are you from?
Don’t give up on the Persian shield!! I stumbled across it last spring and love it in a protected area! One of my absolute favorites!!
Love how Russell's tail was going along to the music, LOL
Didi hahaha hahaha 🐱
Love the technical explanations! Thank you. For a beginner Gardner this is fantastic!
Some years I cut back my Nikko's to the ground to restore structure and rarely fertilize. They always have fantastic blooms! I find the most important thing is adequate moisture!!
I love the last piece of advice! Dont fight with hydrangeas that havent bloomed and replace them! I think I will!! Thanks!
What r u planning to do with those dry blooms??? A hydrangea wreath sounds like a good plan 😉
I was thinking the same.
You do an amazing job all the time on all your flowers shrubs bushes.etc. Love your theme music 🎼
Life lessons with Laura: “Don’t keep fighting with something that’s not giving back to you”. Ab👏🏻so👏🏻loot👏🏻lee👏🏻
She's talking about plants, not men
Isn’t that the truth Laura!
Hello Laura you are glowing, thank you for the hydrangea pruning advice.😃👍
Laura, I LOVE hydrangeas. They’re the plant I can’t kill. Haha. Limelight’s have been a huge success in our garden and have been in the ground, blooming for 5 seasons and always have lots of blooms.
They’re big and tall now bc I wanted them to reach their full potential after annual pruning. However, I feel like I need to prune them way back to give them a “reset.” Their main stems are about 1” around at the base. Is this a good idea for very mature plants, or should I continue pruning as usual?
I have some pink diamond paniculata trees in my front yard and I followed your pruning process and they’ve been beautiful for three years now. I just watched this again because I needed a refresher because it’s pruning time again so thank you for having this out here.
My Penny Mac Hydrangeas on the other hand have not really been performing well. Year one it started to get warm in March so the buds were developing and then we had a major blizzard and cold snap which I think damaged the buds, so no real blooms to speak of that year
Year 2 was extremely hot and dry with some temperatures around 105 It was very hot. I did try to water a lot, but it was very challenging for them that summer.
This is the third year so I’m hoping that the little rhyme that says “the first year they sleep the second year they creep and the third year they leap” holds true. I’m not going to prune those this year because they really didn’t have blooms last year but I will go out and put some Rose tone around the drip line and clear the leaves from the base from the winter and keep my fingers crossed.
I also bought some fire lights at the end of the season at a nursery that were in the clearance section. I just planted those in some larger containers with a nice compost mix and potting soil so, hopefully with the nourishment they will take and thrive It’s rainy here this week in zone 6B which is far better than snow and hopefully everything will get a nice delicious drink which will encourage them to grow.! Thank you so much for all of your gardening tips and sharing what you’ve got going on there!
THIS is the video I’ve been wanting and needing since buying my hydrangeas last year and not knowing how to prune them! Thank you!!! Now to figure out what kind I have :)
I can’t wait. I’m planting several lime lite variety this year. It’s been so rainy here this week, but maybe next week. I love yours and it inspired me last year to redo a bed and take out a tree that we have babies too long. Now I have a wonderful spot for them. Thanks Laura. 👏🏻💕👏🏻
Quick question: When u cut that first group, were u cutting right above new buds and leaving that new bud?
Yes, always just above the node/buds.
Those tulips 😍😍😍 can’t wait to see a tour of the garden once they’re all in bloom. Mine are just starting to come through the soil now!