purple hydrangea plant

Hydrangeas are among the most widespread, popular, and beautiful of flowering plants in gardens all over the world. Those large flower heads can transform any garden into a floral wonderland. Purple hydrangeas are loved because they can produce a wide range of magnificent and elegant shades of violet, lavender, and dark purple. If you’re new to gardening, you might be wondering how to care for the purple hydrangea. It’s very rewarding to have one in your garden because they can be easily grown and provide showy blooms all summer.

 

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Understanding the Purple Hydrangea: A Unique Flower

Purple hydrangeas (Hydrangea) are part of a genus of more than 70 species of flowering plants native to the continents of Asia and the Americas. Flowers are dominated by round clusters of multiple blooms, sometimes up to a foot in diameter, that can be pink, blue or white – or the myriad hues of purple. Soil pH affects the petal colour of hydrangea blooms, making purple hydrangeas a treat for gardeners.

The Role of Soil pH in Color Development

Probably the most interesting aspect about hydrangeas is their colour-change as a result of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. This is most often the case with purple hydrangeas, which thrive with just the right acidity, and usually do best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.0 to 7.0). If the soil is too acidic, the flower will turn blue, and if too alkaline, pink.

Of course, it’s good to amend the soil with organic-enriched compost or pine needles (if you want to keep the soil more on the acidic side) or garden lime (which, if the soil is too acidic, will increase the pH) to help promote and maintain the purple colour. And because of the impact that soil pH can have on hydrangea colour, it’s helpful to do regular soil pH tests and follow industry recommendations if the soil requires adjustment.

Varieties of Purple Hydrangeas

A number of other varieties of hydrangea have purple flowers under certain conditions: 1) Largeleaf hydrangea (white and ageing to green, pink to bright green and up to 4-feet across) 2) Paniculata hydrangea (small, lacecaps, flowers profusely on an upright plant, up to 10-feet tall) 3) Oakleaf hydrangea (white flowerage and unique to other varieties; leaves turn deep crimson in the fall) 4) Mountain hydrangea (abundant flowers grace the upright branches) 5) Smooth hydrangea (huge flowerheads, white, pink and purple varieties available, an American native; fragrant) 6) Climbing hydrangea (flowers only on the emerging growth of the vine) 7) Korean hydrangea (flowers prolific on the top of the plant) 8) Dwarf hydrangea (spreads along the ground) 9) Annabelle hydrangea (world’s most popular hydrangea, white, big, round flowerheads and easy to grow) 10) Seaside hydrangea (pink to lavender). 11) Limelight hydrangea (popular, showy, big, white flowers and easy to grow) 12) Bobo hydrangea (must be cut back each spring) 13) Incrediball hydrangea (big and white and easy to grow).

Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea): Large showy flowers. Often purple.Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas are particularly favoured by gardeners for the purple flowers they produce.

Hydrangea serrata (Mountain Hydrangea): This species, a close relative to the bigleaf hydrangea, is often smaller in stature, but no less stunning. Mountain hydrangeas tend to come in purple hues, particularly where the soil is acidic.

Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea): Although panicle hydrangeas are often thought of as white or pink bloomers, cultivars like ‘Pink Diamond’ can produce purplish hues when given the right soil conditions.

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): Its pointed, oak-like leaves and tiered cone-flowers are charming when the shrubs are in bloom. Note that you might get blooms with a touch of purple, especially in the fall.

All distinct in many ways but, with the right attention, each capable of providing your garden with glorious purple.

Planting and Growing Purple Hydrangeas

Depending on where you plant them – keeping location, soil preparation, watering and fertiliser to hand – you’ll be able to bustle away each summer – and over the autumn foliage months – with a harvest of purple flowers year on year.

Choosing the Right Location

Choosing the right place to plant your purple hydrangeas is essential to ensure that they come up well – blue hydrangeas need morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sunlight, especially in hot climates, will cause flowers to wilt and leaves will scorch. Too little sunlight will result in fewer flowers and leggy plants.

Plant hydrangeas at a distance of at least 6ft from fences, walls or large trees so they will have room to achieve their mature size without crowding or casting shade on nearby structures and plantings. Air circulation helps to prevent powdery mildew, a problem in many hydrangea cultivars in humid climates.

Preparing the Soil

And we have touched above on soil pH, which is the single most important factor in affecting the colour (size) of the flower buds of this plant. Other important factors are that hydrangeas need a light, well-drained, fertile, and humus-rich soil. Before planting, it is advisable to incorporate compost, peat moss, or well-rotated manure into the soil.

Hydrangeas don’t tolerate waterlogging so ensure your plants have good drainage. If your soil holds on a lot of water, plant your hydrangeas in raised beds or amend the soil with sand or perlite to help make it drain better.

Planting Hydrangeas

When you’re ready to plant your hydrangeas, dig a hole that is two times wider than the diameter of your root ball and the same depth. Before you place your purple hydrangea in the hole, loosen its roots gently. Fill in the hole with soil and make sure the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface. Then, water sufficiently to settle the soil around the roots.

Watering and Mulching

Hydrangeas also need consistent moisture, expecially whilst in growth. Ensure the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering once or twice a week is sufficient, but in spell of hot dry weather, you may need to water more frequently.

It’s best to mulch around the base of the plant to minimise water loss, inhibit weed growth, and moderate soil temperatures. Organic mulches, such as bark chips and straw, are benefi cial because they decompose, adding nutrients to the soil.

Fertilizing Purple Hydrangeas

They will respond to fertilisation with luxuriant growth and brilliant blooms (use caution, though: too much fertiliser can result in too much leafy exuberance at the expense of flowers). A balanced slow-release fertiliser worked in in early spring is usually all that’s needed but, to encourage blooming, you can also add a high-phosphorus fertiliser.

Don’t overdo the nitrogen-rich fertiliser; additional nitrogen can produce too much leaf growth and reduced flowering. Go organic by feeding hydrangeas with compost teas or fish emulsion.

Pruning and Maintenance

You will need to prune your hydrangeas at least once a year in order to keep them in shape and maintain healthy growth. Regular pruning also encourages your plants to grow more blooms. The timing and method varies with the kind of hydrangea you have.

Pruning Bigleaf and Mountain Hydrangeas

For bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas (which flower on old wood, defined as having been produced the previous growing season), it’s best to do this pruning right after blooming in summer. That’s because these hydrangeas form flower buds for the next year on the previous growing season’s growth. Prune in late winter to early spring, and you might cut off these buds, which will then fail to produce flowers. P. vietettei produces flowers on new wood, which makes it easy to keep this plant in check by trimming it by up to a third back in late winter. As for braquemart, you can rejuvenate it with a hearty pruning each spring.

Start by cutting back any old, damaged or diseased wood. Be sure to thin out your plant by removing some of the older stems to the base, which helps with air circulation and inspires a more vigorous burst of new growth. Trim back any long or rampant stems that you feel are a bit too unruly and unruffled.

Pruning Panicle and Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Panicle and oakleaf hydrangeas also bloom on new wood, which allows you to prune them in late winter or early spring without affecting their flowering. Generally, their flowers don’t require staking or excessive pruning; you can keep them in check by cutting out dead or weak wood and giving them a light shaping.

Simple maintenance tasks, such as deadheading, weeding, pest and disease patrol, are also essential for keeping your purple hydrangeas looking stunning.

Common Issues and Solutions

It’s best not to do that; like all plants, hydrangeas have inherent vulnerabilities, but most issues are easily overcome with good care.

Dealing with Pests

Hydrangeas are further resistant to pests, the only exception being aphids, spider mites and scale insects, which can occasionally plague them. Monitor your hydrangeas regularly for signs of infestation, such as yellowing foliage, stickiness or exuded honeydew (sugary excretions), or insects themselves.

Washing those mites off with a good burst of water from a hose will often send them packing. For more infestations, insecticidal soap or neem oil are organic options.