Welcome Lemon Daddy!

My friend Sally Cunningham is helping plan the Fall Garden Fair at Lockwood's Nursery on 9/10/11.  She asked me for help in finding a contact person who would be interested in talking about canning and basic food preservation.  As we talked, we walked through the luscious displays of plants and garden statuary at Lockwood's.   She told me of a recent addition to her garden, Lemon Daddy Hydrangea.  Lemon Daddy has  shiny lemon-yellow leaves and large pink/blue mop heads.  This strong-stemmed vigorous grower likes hot and humid conditions.  A very unique yellow hydrangea that just "pops" and brightens up the garden.  I bought the last one at Lockwood's.  Who could resist!  Oh, and I used my free Living Social voucher on the purchase.
 

Care of Hydrangeas

All hydrangeas need watering during long dry spells.  However, well-drained soil is important for the longevity of the plant.  Below are common pruning recommendations.

Oak Leaf (Quercifolia) - Prune in late June or July before bloom buds are set in August for the next year.  Plants five years or older can be pruned by removing a third of the older canes to the ground.

BigLeaf Mopheads and LaceCaps (Macrophylla) - Very little pruning and are best suited where there is no height restrictions.

Incrediball, Invincibelle, Limelight, Little Lime, Pinky Winky and Quick Fire (Paniculatas and Arborescens) - Prune any time other than summer but don't need to be pruned every year.  Remove cross branches and shape as necessary.  Blooms on new wood.

Climbing (Anomala) - No trimming required.  May need tying to a study trellis or fixture when plant is young.

Blue Bunny (Involucrata) - Blooms on new wood.  Prune anytime other than summer.