It’s hard to discuss gardening around here without commenting on how tremendous the Hydrangeas look this year. This year has been a bumper year for Hydrangeas, a New England perennial that virtually everyone loves, and this year it’s really in bloom. Even the more unusual varieties are thriving. So what’s going on?
The short answer is that Hydrangeas thrive after a consistently wet summer followed by a warm winter.
This past winter was definitely mild, as skiers around the region can testify, and there was no drought during mid to late summer last year. This summer there again is plenty of rain so far, so we’re on track half way for another good year next year. We have a big yard here at our place, and with all this rain, keeping the grass mowed so far this year is remarkably like painting the Golden Gate Bridge–as soon as you are completely done, it’s time to start over. We have a zero turn mower, and after this spring/summer I’m actually starting to worry about fuel efficiency for a lawnmower!
Since Hydrangeas are perennials, they are dormant in the winter, but they nevertheless can’t tolerate temperatures below -10. We didn’t have any of those days last winter.
Last summer was great for Hydrangeas too. These plants develop their buds in mid to late summer, which then bloom the following summer, and for that they need steady amounts of rain. Without this rain some of the buds die off and don’t make it to the next summer (and hence less flowers).
Not too many buds went AWOL last summer, so basically, the answer to why the Hydrangeas are so magnificent this year in our yard isn’t our tremendous gardening skills. Rather, it’s mother nature taking care of them over the last summer and winter, and it’s thanks to this pre-planning by Mother Nature that we can enjoy Hydrangeas now.