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Hydrangeas for Your Zone

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Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Don’t be fooled into thinking that plants of a particular genus are going to have the same needs for a healthy life. For instance, I’ve talked about Hydrangea paniculata, panicle hydrangeas, as really preferring cooler temperatures than many parts of South Carolina. But the French hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, mostly have the warmer zone five or even six as their upper limit. The gorgeous Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Fuji Waterfall,’ a lacecap, is listed as suitable for cold hardiness zones 6-9, and notes suggest that you be prepared to give it extra water in times of extreme heat. The Monrovia Nursery on-line catalogue suggests it would be a good addition to a woodland garden, where growing under perhaps tall pines would give it a slightly cooler and definitely less sunny exposure. As our summers become more challenging, be aware of zone recommendations when shopping.

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Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.