I have a real passion for planting en masse. I usually go to a trade nursery called North Hills in Surrey, but all of my paniculata were bought in the end of season sales. There’s a nursery in Purley called Crossways. I bought each plant for a fiver. Love a bargain!
I absolutely love the limelight’s en masse JP ! What a beautiful sight ! I can see why you leave them ..I cut my Phantom later this year I think it made it into the new year ! Fabulous aren’t they I couldn’t be without tbh X They will always be in my gardens as I’m sure they will be in yours ..I understood all your tips and I’m hoping you’ve got one for all the dead crap in my house ? 😂..I know ..more plastic boxes for the loft … xx
🤣🤣 Well Nic, you can’t be in the Dead Crap Gang unless you’ve got dead crap in storage boxes! Unfortunately, this time I’ve had to throw all of my dried hydrangea heads away, but I promise I’ll find use for the next batch come autumn. Xxx
Good morning JP and it’s so lovely, as ever, to read your Sunday morning despatches! This is such a helpful rundown of hydrangea pruning: it’s so easy to get muddled between your paniculatas and your mop heads etc.
Your caption ‘my Annabelles’ made me roar- I know family in-jokes aren’t funny when told as a story , but my godfather used to make us spit out our tea when he would tell people they ‘really should have a look at his Annabelle in the shade’
Thank you for the brilliant advice JP, I have a mixture of all types of hydrangea in my garden and get mixed up with what to do. Still having frosts here in Yorkshire so haven't done anything yet...should I still wait a bit do you think for my paniculata trimming? Xx
The size of your limelight, JP! (Ahem.! I have a teeny, very sunny garden - you have inspired me to try them. I do have Runaway Bride in a pot - to stop her running away? - which seems very happy but have always hesitated to plant directly in the ground.
Gotta watch those brides! Limelights in the ground, perhaps surrounded by a little lavender can look so lovely and almost no upkeep really, other than the spring pruning. Go for it. X
This is so useful! Thank you so much for writing this! Feeling fully equipped to tackle my hydrangeas now. Can I ask, in the video you mentioned you could get great offers on hydrangea plants at the beginning of the year. When you do get them in winter, when's the best time to plant them? Would you wait for warmer weather? Thanks! 😊
Thank you so much. I’m glad it was helpful. They don’t look very promising when you buy them in late autumn/winter, but that’s why the garden centres sell them off. I tend to leave everything in their pots until it’s warmer and definitely not when the ground is still frosty. March onwards really.
The only hydrangea I haven’t grown, the climber, I’m considering for a north facing wall. It’s not a huge wall - it’s the side of our garage. Tbh I can’t be arsed with loads of pruning so wondering if it’s right for me!
Morning, JP. You've explained the varying techniques superbly! I love the stylish simplicity of the mass planting, they look stunning! I also adore it when they go brown, they take on a whole different quality which I find strangely beautiful and love using them in my dried floral creations. Happy Sunday.
Brilliant and I love how you have planted a whole bed with the same hydrangea. Where do you buy yours?
I have a real passion for planting en masse. I usually go to a trade nursery called North Hills in Surrey, but all of my paniculata were bought in the end of season sales. There’s a nursery in Purley called Crossways. I bought each plant for a fiver. Love a bargain!
Great words & advice JP
Thank you Mike and have the loveliest Sunday.
You too! Sun is shining here!
Thank goodness!
I absolutely love the limelight’s en masse JP ! What a beautiful sight ! I can see why you leave them ..I cut my Phantom later this year I think it made it into the new year ! Fabulous aren’t they I couldn’t be without tbh X They will always be in my gardens as I’m sure they will be in yours ..I understood all your tips and I’m hoping you’ve got one for all the dead crap in my house ? 😂..I know ..more plastic boxes for the loft … xx
🤣🤣 Well Nic, you can’t be in the Dead Crap Gang unless you’ve got dead crap in storage boxes! Unfortunately, this time I’ve had to throw all of my dried hydrangea heads away, but I promise I’ll find use for the next batch come autumn. Xxx
Yep good to refresh as they are paper ..I’ve actually got a favourite dead crap box ! It’s like a museum piece with a set of white gloves attached 😂😂
🤣🤣
😂😂
I like them best when the heads are completely gone over and dry
Are we still talking about Hydrangeas? 😂 seriously, they do make a great dried flower Mark.
You’re a terrible man!
🤣🤣 But, you like me!
Good morning JP and it’s so lovely, as ever, to read your Sunday morning despatches! This is such a helpful rundown of hydrangea pruning: it’s so easy to get muddled between your paniculatas and your mop heads etc.
Your caption ‘my Annabelles’ made me roar- I know family in-jokes aren’t funny when told as a story , but my godfather used to make us spit out our tea when he would tell people they ‘really should have a look at his Annabelle in the shade’
🤣🤣 Sounds like my kinda guy Jo! Good morning and welcome to a sunny Sunday. Just might be able to get into the garden today.
That’s brilliant Jo 😂
Thank you for the brilliant advice JP, I have a mixture of all types of hydrangea in my garden and get mixed up with what to do. Still having frosts here in Yorkshire so haven't done anything yet...should I still wait a bit do you think for my paniculata trimming? Xx
It won’t hurt to wait a little longer Elaine.
I agree!
We really need to do this, this weekend . . . thanks for taking the time to share the expertise JP! 💙
You are most welcome my friends and welcome to Substack too!
Great advice. Love your limelights’!
Thank you Ali. Looking forward to sunshine and flowers.
Oh me too! So ready x
That’s if it ever stops raining! 🤣
The size of your limelight, JP! (Ahem.! I have a teeny, very sunny garden - you have inspired me to try them. I do have Runaway Bride in a pot - to stop her running away? - which seems very happy but have always hesitated to plant directly in the ground.
Gotta watch those brides! Limelights in the ground, perhaps surrounded by a little lavender can look so lovely and almost no upkeep really, other than the spring pruning. Go for it. X
This is so useful! Thank you so much for writing this! Feeling fully equipped to tackle my hydrangeas now. Can I ask, in the video you mentioned you could get great offers on hydrangea plants at the beginning of the year. When you do get them in winter, when's the best time to plant them? Would you wait for warmer weather? Thanks! 😊
Thank you so much. I’m glad it was helpful. They don’t look very promising when you buy them in late autumn/winter, but that’s why the garden centres sell them off. I tend to leave everything in their pots until it’s warmer and definitely not when the ground is still frosty. March onwards really.
Thank you so much! Such good advice. I'll have a look what's out there at the local garden centres at the moment then 👍 😊
Good idea. I’m defo going to give it a go and hope!!
They can cope fine with shade, just not too much. X
I know 😢 it’s the one spot I would love lots of them!!!
Well, you can try it, maybe buy one and see how it does?
Also I’m considering limelight for a north facing bed and wondering how they’ll fare 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
All hydrangea shrubs need some sun, but not full sun. I’d worry in a north facing bed.
The only hydrangea I haven’t grown, the climber, I’m considering for a north facing wall. It’s not a huge wall - it’s the side of our garage. Tbh I can’t be arsed with loads of pruning so wondering if it’s right for me!
It’s perfect for north facing. It’ll love it! Easy to prune. Just take off anything annoying you.
Morning, JP. You've explained the varying techniques superbly! I love the stylish simplicity of the mass planting, they look stunning! I also adore it when they go brown, they take on a whole different quality which I find strangely beautiful and love using them in my dried floral creations. Happy Sunday.
Frannyx
I so wish I could have given you all the cut dried blooms Franny. You would have had enough to last you for years!
That's so kind, JP. I know you would. X
🩷🩷
JP have you ever had the ‘dwarf’ versions of paniculata? I have 3 and they are going into their 3rd summer. Do I treat them in the same way?
Hi Tracey, yes I actually have a few too. Treat them in the same way. I do anyway and it works fine.
I have a ‘polestar’ dwarf , I love them as they don’t grow too big so you can pop them in amongst mixed borders X they are paniculata too x
Cute aren't they!
Really lovely and small ! X