HYDRANGEAS are the perfect garden flower thanks to their versatility and popularity.
The gorgeous flower has trended this year and can now be snapped up for a bargain price at B&Q.
B&Q is selling the Hydrangea Paniculata at a bargain price[/caption]
It is going for just £15[/caption]
The home and hardware chain has the Hydrangea Paniculata for just £15 for a 5 litre plant, whereas they can retail at other stores for anywhere between £20 and £30.
In the past month alone, there’s been 9.7 million Google searches for Hydrangeas, because people are catching on that they’re a great flower to have in any garden.
These 5-litre plants come in a mix of four colors and are available in-store now.
Why We Love Hydrangeas
The Hydrangea Paniculata is best known for its large, colourful blooms that flower in late summer and early autumn.
The range of colours include white, pink, green, and yellow, whose colour will not change depending on soil pH, unlike other varieties of hydrangeas.
Unlike the more common hydrangea varieties – Mophead, Lacecap, and Hortensia – “the Hydrangea paniculata is a striking panicle hydrangea known for its striking conical blooms and strong, upright habit”.
“These long-lasting flowerheads provide months of intense colour and structure, making them a great addition for borders or large containers,” said B&Q’s Outdoor Expert, Mark Sage.
Top Tips
Mark also shared his best tips to ensure that your hydrangeas will thrive for many years to come.
He recommended making sure they are placed in full sun for a minimum of four hours a day and water them regularly, because hydrangeas don’t like dry soil.
When spring comes around, be sure to feed them with a general purpose fertiliser and avoid excessive feeding during the growing season, otherwise you’ll end up with more leaves and fewer flowers.
Hydrangeas typically bloom from late spring to early autumn, depending on the climate and conditions.
Typically any colour changes occur because of aluminum availability in the soil, with pink or red flowers thriving in neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of over 7.0, while blue ones prefer an acidic soil of under six pH.
Hydrangeas are perennials, which means they come back year after year with the right care.
But over the winter, gardeners are told not to cut off the dead blooms, instead, they should be left on – even though they look brown and crispy – because they protect new shoots.
Then when spring rolls around, and after new shoots appear, give the plant a hard cut back – the more you cut back, the bigger the plant will then grow.
Hydrangeas can live for decades, in the right conditions, meaning they could be a good long-term investment for your garden. And they are easy to propagate – so you can have multiple plants from one, or swap and share with fellow gardeners.
Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
How to prune a Hydrangea
The easiest way is to cut the dead bloom off the plant.
Snip as far down as the next new buds on the stem, if these are visible or to wherever looks appropriate.
For a more established plants you can cut old stems back to the base to encourage new growth.
Use clean, sharp garden shears or scissors to ensure a clean cut and no damage to your plant.
The hydrangea is a great flower because it last for months and survives winter[/caption]
