Nikko Blue Hydrangea

The stunning Nikko Blue Hydrangea is a shrub that grows its clusters in semi-shaded areas. The vibrant azure flowers bloom with handsome green foliage, usually on old wood. Sometimes, these deciduous flowers bloom with a pink, purple, or white hue instead of azure.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea Is Fast Growing 

While many people might consider the shrub a "showy" plant, that does not make it any less beautiful; it is fast-growing and easy to maintain, with its best bloom time in late spring or early summer. Plan to water regularly to keep the soil moist (i.e., a couple of times a week). Good companion plants include Holly, Rose of Sharon, Azaleas, and Sweetspires. If left to its own devices, this native Japanese plant can quickly reach four to six feet tall and wide. It typically grows at a rate of approximately 24 inches per year.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea Soil and Water Conditions

This kind of shrub likes moist soil that drains well. The most important thing to consider is the soil's acidity, or lack thereof, which ultimately plays a significant role in determining bloom color. More acidic soil produces that vibrant azure color, but pink appears with more alkaline mixtures. You can raise acidity by adding sphagnum peat moss to the soil or nitrogen fertilizer. When fully grown, some Nikko Blue hydrangeas can still grow in temperatures as frigid as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, newer, younger plants must be grown in temperatures below 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, these plants like mid to high humidity at any age, growing particularly well in summer. However, too much of a dry climate, like what you might find in a desert, can make the plant wither and droop.

Details on Pruning The Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Nikko blue hydrangeas require very little pruning. If you need to prune or cut your plant back, plan to do so before early fall and late summer to avoid cutting set buds or blooms. Cutting set buds could mean you don't grow flowers the following year. On the other hand, dead branches can be trimmed at any time.