Hydrangea 'Snowball'

What are the garden uses for Hydrangea Snowball in NZ?

Hydrangea Snowball is a much-loved shrub in NZ gardens. It is most commonly grown as specimen, used as an informal hedge, added to a mixed planting, or planted as a backdrop for smaller plants. It is a great 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 makes Hydrangea Snowball an excellent choice for a NZ garden.

What does the Snowball Hydrangea need to grow well?

The Snowball Hydrangea grows best when positioned in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. It is tolerant of frost, cool climates, coastal environments, and humid climates. Wind protection is important to ensure branches are not snapped and this will also result in a better formed plant that will flower more prolifically.

Hydrangea Snowball for sale

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Hydrangea Snowball plant care

Hydrangea Snowball 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 like compost into the soil during planting will help with soil fertility. They prefer a moist soil so consistent watering is essential, especially during dry periods but be careful to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. Applying shrub fertiliser in spring will keep the Hydrangea Snowball 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 Hydrangea Snowball variety

The Hydrangea Snowball variety is pruned each winter to contain growth and encourage fresh, new growth that will bear flowers. The Plant Company recommends they are pruned back to a low crown which has short stems (about 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 criss-crossing or show disease. Young plants will generally be left with five stems whereas older plants can have 10-20 stems remaining. These can be thinned back to 15 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 next season. Flowering can be affected with hard pruning but that is more likely to cause delayed flowering only. A mistake often made with pruning the Hydrangea Snowball variety is to not prune the plants hard enough. This error results in a woodier plant and a much larger plant that can be difficult to contain.

Can the Hydrangea Snowball be grown as a hedge?

The Snowball Hydrangea is often grown as an informal hedge. That is, a hedge this is minimally trimmed, if at all, such that their natural, rounded shape is preserved to a degree. To create an informal hedge, space the Hydrangea plants 70-90 cm apart. The Snowball hedge can be trimmed as little or as much as you want given it is the informality you are wanting. The Plant Company recommends that informal hedges are trimmed with a little and often approach so they become bushy yet still contained.