The hydrangea trunk is a particularly attractive element of garden design. Growing the hydrangea as a stem is not that difficult if you keep a few points in mind. Alternatively, there are hydrangeas that have already been grown on trunks in specialist shops and only need to be cut regularly to keep their attractive shape.
What are hydrangea stems and how do you care for them?
A hydrangea stem (standard hydrangea) is a special form of the hydrangea family in which the lowest branches have been removed to create a tree-like trunk with a branched crown. Care tips: Regular cut, sufficient watering and adjust the pH value of the soil for flower color.
What is a stem?
Normally, hydrangeas grow rather wide and bushy and therefore require a relatively large amount of space in the flower bed. With the trunk, the lowest branches are cut off so that a trunk with a richly branched crown is formed, like a tree. To do this, it is necessary to cut the hydrangea again and again.
Purchased hydrangea stems are sometimes grafted onto the trunk. This technique is not that easy with hydrangeas and should therefore be left to the specialist.
The spring cut
In March the crown of the hydrangea trunk is thinned out. This stimulates the hydrangea to sprout new growth and promotes abundance of flowers. Make sure the crown is structured evenly:
- Consistently cut out crossings.
- Cut off weak shoots.
- Short the shoots to one eye.
- Also remove faded and frozen branches.
The standard trunk now has a clear structure that consists exclusively of strong branches.
Cut during the year
So that the hydrangea continues to grow as a stem, all deeper branches must be removed throughout the entire growth period. Cut this directly from the trunk using a very sharp cutting tool.
Fertilizing and watering
High-stem hydrangeas require a lot of water and often need to be watered twice on hot days. To ensure an abundance of flowers, it is recommended to supply the hydrangea with a special hydrangea fertilizer every two weeks.
Get colors
So that the standard hydrangea does not lose its beautiful color, you should check the pH value of the soil regularly.
- Red hydrangeas require a slightly alkaline substrate. Liming is necessary if the soil is acidic.
- A pink standard hydrangea thrives in almost any soil.
- Blue hydrangeas need acidic substrate to absorb the aluminum contained in the soil. Place these standard stems in special hydrangea or rhododendron soil. If the flower color still fades, you can add some hydrangea blue to the fertilizer.
Tips & Tricks
Since hydrangeas are often cut on the trunk, you should choose a variety from cutting group 2 that will bloom on this year's wood.
