Hydrangea 'Bombshell'

What are the garden uses for Hydrangea 'Bombshell' in NZ?

Hydrangea 'Bombshell' is a much-loved shrub in NZ gardens. It is most commonly grown as a specimen, used as an informal hedge, added to a mixed planting, or included as a backdrop for smaller plants. It is an excellent complement to a modern or cottage garden, bringing both colour and elegance to a space. It is the gorgeous foliage and beautiful flowers of this plant that make Hydrangea 'Bombshell' an excellent choice for a garden.

What growing conditions does the 'Bombshell' Hydrangea need?

The 'Bombshell' Hydrangea grows best in NZ when positioned in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is tolerant of frost, cool climates, coastal environments, and humid climates. Wind protection is essential to prevent branches from snapping, which will also result in a better-formed plant that will flower more prolifically.

Hydrangea 'Bombshell' for sale in NZ

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Why is my 'Bombshell' Hydrangea not blooming?

There are a few reasons why your 'Bombshell' Hydrangea might not be flowering. One of the most common reasons is that the plants are in too shady a spot. In these circumstances, the plants tend to stretch towards light at the expense of flowering. Poor pruning technique is the most likely reason. 'Bombshell' Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, which means they produce flowers on the current season's growth. Excessive pruning or a lack of pruning, coupled with poor growing conditions, can result in the flower buds failing. Finally, over-fertilising, particularly with high-nitrogen fertilisers, can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If the plants experience environmental stress, such as late frost or prolonged drought, it can also stress the plant and prevent it from blooming. Determining why your 'Bombshell' Hydrangea is not blooming is therefore a process of elimination.

Hydrangea 'Bombshell' care

Hydrangea 'Bombshell' care is simply about getting a few easy things right so the plant thrives. They prefer a sheltered spot in either full sun or part shade. Only in very hot climates should full sun positions be avoided. A well-drained, fertile soil is crucial. Adding organic matter, such as compost, to the soil during planting will help improve soil fertility. They prefer a moist soil, so consistent watering is essential, especially during dry periods. However, be careful to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Applying shrub fertiliser in spring will keep the Hydrangea 'Bombshell' plants well-fed for the year. Prune in late winter or early spring and continue to remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming. Applying mulch around the base of the plant helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew and treat as needed with appropriate measures.

How to the prune the 'Bombshell' Hydrangea

The Hydrangea 'Bombshell' is pruned each winter to contain growth and encourage fresh, new growth that will bear flowers. The Plant Company recommends pruning back to a low crown, which has short stems (approximately 10 cm long) with at least two buds on each stem remaining. Any dead stems should also be removed at this time, along with stems that are crisscrossing or show signs of disease. Young plants will typically have five stems, whereas older plants can have up to 10 stems remaining. These can be thinned back to five to ten if desired, which will help produce bigger flower heads. Longer stems can be left on younger plants while they are establishing. In general, the harder the plant is pruned back, the more contained it will grow the following season. Flowering can be affected by hard pruning, but this is more likely to cause delayed flowering, rather than preventing it altogether. A common mistake made when pruning the Hydrangea 'Bombshell' is not pruning the plants hard enough. This error results in a woody plant and a much larger plant that can be difficult to contain.

Does the Hydrangea 'Bombshell' plant make a good hedge?

The 'Bombshell' Hydrangea is often grown as an Informal hedge. That is, a hedge that is minimally trimmed, if at all, such that its natural, rounded shape is preserved to a degree. To create an informal hedge, space the Hydrangea plants 80 cm apart. The 'Bombshell' hedge can be trimmed as little or as much as you want, given it is the informality you are wanting. The Plant Company recommends a "little and often" approach to trimming informal hedges, allowing them to become bushy yet still contained.

What height and size does the Hydrangea 'Bombshell' grow to?

Hydrangea 'Bombshell' grows to about 1 metre in height with a similar spread. The ultimate size is determined by how much the plants are trimmed, how aggressively they are pruned in winter, the level of care they receive, and the warmth of the climate. In warmer climates such as Northland and Auckland, the plants will tend to be larger than those grown in Southland.