An A-Z of 2024 in the garden: Hydrangeas

In contrast to other aspects of the Dumfriesshire Garden in 2024, it’s been really a good year for hydrangeas.

I particularly like the hydrangea flowers when they are first appearing, especially the green-white paniculatas. And the lace-caps. But incredibly long-flowering plants that they are, hydrangeas can also a delight as they subtly gain or lose colour, or even fade to papery elegance.

Early in the season this year I bought some young specimens in pots and had them near the house. A bit unseasonal maybe, but a cheery splash of interest just outside the window. Later I planted them in the garden and they seemed to settle and put on growth. The question is whether they will flower. Over the years I’ve had quite a few vigorous and healthy hydrangeas that have yet to produce blooms. I’m not sure if an old gardener’s remedy is efficacious: a rice pudding spread round the roots like a mulch! It could be tried I suppose.

The rather gaudy specimen shown here below was a single flower this year on a plant that had not bloomed for years, and had otherwise been admired for its foliage alone. Overly bright perhaps, it was still very welcome in 2024 – all in all, quite a good year for these stalwart plants.