Cultivation notes

The on line version of our catalogue is here. Alternatively you can download and print our catalogue: Woodleigh Nursery 2013 Catalogue [PDF] and Woodleigh Nursery Order Form [PDF] if you wish).

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Cultivation Notes

Hydrangea species, cultivars and hybrids

Woodleigh nursery propagates what we believe to be New Zealand’s largest range of Hydrangea species, cultivars and hybrids. Many people are familiar with the macrophylla types, however from our collection we have made available a choice range of plants to suit varying sites, colour preferences, and flower/foliage forms. To help in your review and selection of the types available we have prepared a useful comparison table here: Woodleigh Nursery Cultivar Table [PDF]

Grandma’s Hydrangeas

We have a range of charming old Grandma Hydrangeas. Grandma Hydrangeas are a series of forgotten varieties that were nearly lost to cultivation. Most of these have disappeared in Europe; and in NZ haven’t been available for decades. We are indebted to the late Os Blumhardt for keeping these plants when everyone else had forgotten them. The varieties with an ** are ones from Grandma’s day.

Colours

The macrophylla or large leaf Hydrangeas are fabulous shrubs for providing colour all summer and into autumn. Many have heads which change colour in the autumn and these are called antique colours. Many are ideal cut flowers.

Hydrangea colours are nearly all changeable depending on your soil. Alkaline or limey soils give pinks and reds while acid soils make for good blues. It does take a year or two for blues to show their true colours.

Cultivation in a nut shell

Hydrangeas like plenty of moisture and most will perform well in sun or shade. A mulch of bark or woodchip will retain soil moisture and improve their health.

You will be able to select hydrangeas to suit your conditions, whether it be moderate frost, sunny dell or moderate coastal exposure.

The smaller growing varieties make excellent tub and patio plants. You may have more influence on colour display when cultivating tub grown plants.

If you know of a friend who might like a catalogue, please feel free to spread the word about Hydrangeas and provide our contact details!