It’s that time of year when outdoor spaces become the backdrop to our best summer memories. When we got home from our spring break trip over the weekend, I was delighted to see our hydrangea bushes turn from sticks to green leaves during the week. And I can’t help but wonder – will they jump again? Was last year a fluke?!
This post is sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement
You’ve probably heard the old saying about hydrangeas (and most plants, I think): “The first year they sleep, the second year they crawl, the third year they jump”. We’ve definitely lived through the “dormant” and “creep” stages of our yard, and last year we hit the jump stage with everything we planted after we moved in. It was so rewarding to finally get to that “leap” year when everything just exploded and blossomed. Everything felt ripe and alive. We have many plants in our backyard landscaping plans, but Limelight Hydrangeas steal the show. They go through everything in the best possible way. They took a deep breath.
Why Limelight Hydrangeas are a Modern Traditional staple
Looking at our hydrangeas in the fall of the first year. Small, but mighty!
I get asked about our Limelights almost as much as I get asked about my favorite decor. They are an integral part of our “traditional modern” aesthetic. I love how they change from green in the spring to a soft, classic white in the full summer, then to a rusty pink when the fall starts. They give that architectural height that makes the back garden feel like an English garden.
Tips for success:
- Variations: We swear Hydrangea paniculata (Limelights) because they are strong and reliable.
- Sun: They like full sun to partial shade—the more sun they get, the better they bloom.
- Watering: Dry Hydrangeas! We use a soaker hose from Lowe’s during the high summer heat to keep the roots moist without getting the leaves too wet.
My simple trick for pruning Hydrangeas
I’m no gardening expert, but I have learned one thing about it Pruning Limelight Hydrangeas that changed everything: you prune them in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Using Fiskars Pruning Shears, simply cut the stems by about a third to half. Because Limelights bloom on “new wood,” this helps the stems grow stronger and stronger so they can support those big flower heads without sinking to the ground. Ours grows to 8-9 tall this way!
Mulch: The Secret Sauce of Garden Prep
“Leap Year” is not just about plants; it is about preparatory work. Right now, of course Mulch week at Lowe’swhich is our annual sign of revitalizing the flower beds. We always go with dark brown wood mulch.
Not only does a new layer of mulch give the yard a clean, contrasting look that we love against the green foliage, but it’s also the secret to keeping hydrangeas happy. Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil and regulates the temperature around the roots during those hot summers. We usually put it on the ground about 2-3 centimeters thick, being careful not to pile it on the bottom of the trunk.
Our Spring Outdoor Refresh Essentials
Leaf Blaster | Trimmer | The Clippers
Fixing the yard “Hydrangea Clock” is a family affair. We relied on a few tools from Lowe’s to get the job done in one weekend, so we could get back to the fun part (the pool!).
I’m excited for the first bloom (expecting it any day now) and filling the first container in my kitchen. Hydrangea clock is on!
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