La Dreaming Hydrangea – Unlock Continuous Blooms And Vibrant Color

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Are you dreaming of a garden filled with continuous, vibrant blooms from spring through fall? Do you wish for a hydrangea that isn’t afraid to put on a show, year after year, no matter what winter throws its way? If so, you’re not alone! Many gardeners seek that elusive plant that delivers consistent beauty with minimal fuss.

Here at Greeny Gardener, we understand that desire. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce you to a true garden superstar: the la dreaming hydrangea. This remarkable bigleaf hydrangea promises to transform your landscape, offering a stunning display of color and an incredibly long blooming season.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share all our expert secrets for cultivating a magnificent ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea. You’ll learn everything from selecting the perfect spot and planting it correctly, to mastering its unique reblooming characteristics and ensuring it thrives in your garden. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a truly dreamy garden!

Why Choose the la dreaming hydrangea for Your Garden?

When it comes to hydrangeas, the ‘LA Dreamin” variety stands out as a true game-changer. It’s a Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly known as a bigleaf hydrangea, but with a special twist that makes it incredibly appealing to gardeners of all skill levels.

Unlike many traditional hydrangeas that only bloom on old wood, this exceptional cultivar offers flowers on both old and new wood. This means a much longer season of interest and a greater chance of abundant blooms, even after a harsh winter.

The Magic of Reblooming

The primary reason gardeners fall in love with ‘LA Dreamin” is its incredible ability to rebloom. Many hydrangeas can be temperamental, sometimes failing to produce flowers if their old wood is damaged by frost or improper pruning.

The la dreaming hydrangea, however, gracefully overcomes this challenge. Its continuous blooming habit ensures you’ll enjoy a cascade of flowers from late spring, through summer, and often right up until the first hard frost. This resilience makes it a reliable choice for consistent garden beauty.

Vibrant, Adaptable Color

Another captivating feature of this hydrangea is its multi-colored blooms. You’ll often find pink, blue, and even purple flowers on the same plant, creating a stunning visual tapestry in your garden.

The exact shades can vary depending on your soil’s pH, offering you a unique opportunity to influence its display. This adaptability adds another layer of excitement to growing this wonderful plant.

Getting Started: Planting Your la dreaming hydrangea for Success

Setting your ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea up for success begins with careful planning. Choosing the right location and preparing the soil correctly are crucial steps that will pay dividends in lush foliage and abundant blooms.

Choosing the Perfect Spot

Like most hydrangeas, the ‘LA Dreamin” thrives in locations that offer a balance of sun and shade. Aim for a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.

Too much direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and cause wilting, while too much dense shade can lead to fewer flowers. A dappled shade under deciduous trees or an east-facing spot is often ideal for this plant.

Soil Preparation is Key

Hydrangeas prefer rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with plenty of organic matter like compost, aged manure, or peat moss. This improves drainage while also providing essential nutrients.

For sandy soils, organic matter will help improve moisture retention. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (5.5 to 7.0) is generally preferred, especially if you wish to influence the flower color later on.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve chosen your spot and prepared the soil, planting your ‘LA Dreamin” is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a healthy start:

  1. Dig the Hole: Excavate a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
  2. Prepare the Plant: Gently remove the hydrangea from its nursery container. Loosen any circling roots at the bottom and sides with your fingers or a small hand rake.
  3. Position the Plant: Place the hydrangea in the center of the hole, ensuring it sits at the correct depth.
  4. Backfill: Begin filling the hole with your amended soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets.
  5. Water Thoroughly: Once the hole is filled, water deeply to settle the soil around the roots.
  6. Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or pine needles) around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the stem. This helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Essential Care for a Thriving la dreaming hydrangea

Proper care is essential for ensuring your ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea reaches its full potential. With a little attention to watering, feeding, and pruning, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display.

Watering Wisely

Hydrangeas are thirsty plants, especially during their establishment period and hot, dry spells. Consistent moisture is vital for healthy growth and abundant blooms.

Aim for deep watering 2-3 times a week, rather than shallow, frequent sprinkles. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch or two deep; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Container-grown hydrangeas will likely need daily watering during warm weather.

Feeding Your Hydrangea

A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs is ideal. Apply it in early spring as new growth emerges, following the product’s instructions carefully.

Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, as this can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. For reblooming varieties like ‘LA Dreamin”, a second, lighter feeding in mid-summer can support continued blooming.

Pruning for Abundance

One of the beauties of the la dreaming hydrangea is its forgiving nature when it comes to pruning. Since it blooms on both old and new wood, you don’t have to worry as much about accidentally sacrificing next year’s blooms.

The best time for major pruning is after the first flush of flowers in early summer. You can deadhead spent blooms throughout the season to encourage more flower production. Simply snip the faded flower head back to a healthy leaf node. For shaping or removing dead/damaged wood, early spring before new growth appears is also a good time. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, as this could remove developing flower buds for the following year.

Mastering Color: Understanding Your la dreaming hydrangea’s Hues

The chameleon-like ability of ‘LA Dreamin” to display multiple colors is truly enchanting. This phenomenon is largely controlled by the soil’s pH and the availability of aluminum.

The Science Behind the Shades

For bigleaf hydrangeas, the color of the flowers is determined by the presence of aluminum in the soil and how readily the plant can absorb it. Soil pH plays a crucial role in aluminum availability.

Acidic soils (pH 5.5 and lower) make aluminum more available, resulting in blue flowers. Alkaline soils (pH 6.5 and higher) bind aluminum, leading to pink flowers. Neutral soils (pH 5.5-6.5) often produce a mix of colors or shades of purple.

Adjusting for Blue Blooms

If you desire more vibrant blue flowers from your ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea, you’ll need to make your soil more acidic and ensure aluminum is present. You can achieve this by:

  • Adding Aluminum Sulfate: This is the most direct way to provide aluminum and lower pH. Apply it according to package directions, typically in early spring and again in late summer.
  • Using Acidifying Fertilizers: Choose fertilizers with a higher percentage of phosphorus and potassium, and a lower nitrogen content, specifically formulated for acid-loving plants.
  • Incorporating Organic Matter: Peat moss and pine bark can help lower soil pH over time.

Encouraging Pinker Petals

To shift your ‘LA Dreamin” flowers towards the pink end of the spectrum, you’ll want to raise your soil’s pH and limit aluminum absorption. Here’s how:

  • Adding Garden Lime: Apply dolomitic lime or hydrated lime in the fall or early spring, following product instructions.
  • Avoiding Aluminum: Do not use aluminum sulfate or acidifying fertilizers.
  • Using Alkaline Fertilizers: Opt for fertilizers with a higher phosphorus content, or those specifically designed for encouraging pink hydrangea blooms.

Remember that changing flower color takes time and consistency, often several months or even a full season. It’s also more effective in containers where you have more control over the soil.

Protecting Your la dreaming hydrangea Through the Seasons

While the ‘LA Dreamin” is known for its resilience, a little seasonal care can go a long way in ensuring its longevity and continuous beauty, especially in colder climates.

Winterizing Your Beloved Plant

In USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9, ‘LA Dreamin” is generally quite hardy. However, in the colder end of its range, some winter protection can be beneficial, particularly for young plants.

Before the first hard freeze, apply a thick layer of mulch (6-12 inches) around the base of the plant. You can also loosely tie the branches together and wrap the plant in burlap or a frost cloth, creating a protective cage. This helps shield the buds on old wood from extreme cold, ensuring a more robust spring bloom.

Common Pests and Diseases

Fortunately, ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangeas are relatively trouble-free. However, like all plants, they can occasionally encounter issues. Keep an eye out for:

  • Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth. A strong spray of water or insecticidal soap can typically control them.
  • Spider Mites: Tiny pests that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing stippling on leaves. Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap if necessary.
  • Powdery Mildew: A white, powdery fungus on leaves, often in humid, shaded conditions with poor air circulation. Improve air flow and consider a fungicide if severe.
  • Leaf Spot: Fungal spots on leaves, usually harmless. Remove affected leaves and ensure good air circulation.
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A healthy plant is often the best defense against pests and diseases. Provide good cultural care, and your hydrangea will be strong enough to fend off most issues.

Designing with la dreaming hydrangea: Ideas for Your Landscape

The versatility and stunning appearance of the ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea make it an excellent choice for a variety of garden designs. Its long bloom time ensures continuous visual interest.

Stunning Garden Combinations

Pairing your ‘LA Dreamin” with complementary plants can create breathtaking garden vignettes. Consider:

  • Hostas and Ferns: For a lush, shade-loving combination, their varied foliage textures provide a beautiful contrast to the hydrangea’s blooms.
  • Astilbe and Coral Bells: These add delicate texture and contrasting colors, thriving in similar light conditions.
  • Evergreen Shrubs: Use boxwoods or dwarf conifers as a backdrop to highlight the hydrangea’s vibrant flowers and provide winter structure.
  • Annuals: Plant impatiens or coleus around the base for a continuous pop of color in the foreground.

Container Gardening with Hydrangeas

The compact size and continuous bloom of ‘LA Dreamin” make it a fantastic candidate for container gardening. This is particularly useful for those with limited garden space or those who want to control soil pH more precisely for specific flower colors.

Choose a large pot (at least 18-24 inches in diameter) with good drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix and be diligent with watering, as containers dry out faster. In colder zones, you can move container hydrangeas to a sheltered location, like an unheated garage, for winter protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About la dreaming hydrangea

How often should I water my la dreaming hydrangea?

During its first year, water your ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea deeply 2-3 times a week, especially during dry periods. Once established, it will still appreciate consistent moisture, so check the soil regularly and water when the top inch or two feels dry. Container plants will need more frequent watering, often daily in hot weather.

Will deer eat la dreaming hydrangea?

While no plant is entirely deer-proof, hydrangeas are generally considered to be moderately deer-resistant. Deer may browse them if other food sources are scarce, but they are not usually a preferred meal. If deer are a major problem in your area, consider using repellents or physical barriers.

Can I grow la dreaming hydrangea in a pot?

Absolutely! The ‘LA Dreamin” hydrangea is an excellent choice for container gardening due to its manageable size and continuous blooming. Just ensure you use a large pot with good drainage and provide consistent watering and feeding.

When is the best time to prune la dreaming hydrangea?

The best time for major pruning is after its first flush of flowers in early summer. You can deadhead spent blooms throughout the season to encourage more flowering. Light shaping or removal of dead wood can also be done in early spring before new growth truly begins.

Conclusion

The la dreaming hydrangea truly lives up to its name, bringing a dream of continuous, vibrant color to any garden. Its reblooming nature, adaptability, and stunning multi-hued flowers make it a standout choice for gardeners looking for reliable beauty and a touch of magic.

By following these expert tips on planting, care, and even color manipulation, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a spectacular display from your ‘LA Dreamin” for years to come. Don’t let the thought of growing hydrangeas intimidate you; this variety is incredibly forgiving and rewarding. So, go ahead, plant with confidence, and prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of your very own ‘LA Dreamin”!

Rimon Chowdhury
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