A SHRUB FOR CHRISTMAS

Hydrangeas are commonly known as 'Christmas Roses' because they flower so beautifully and prolifically at this time of the year. These versatile shrubs provide a feast of intense colour in any garden right around our country and billows of soft blooms for the vase.

A wide variety of Hydrangea hybrids are available in varying heights, colours and forms of flowers. Blue Hydrangea varieties prefer an acid soil, so add peat moss or acid compost when planting them or feed with Acid Loving Plant food to improve soil acidity. Pink Hydrangeas don't like an acid soil - their pink colour will not be as brilliant and they won't thrive in an acid soil. A special Pink Hydrangea plant food is available to feed them. Start fertilizing your shrubs in August to ensure an abundance of brilliant flowers. Water well and repeat fortnightly until January.

Hydrangeas are hardy deciduous shrubs that need well drained, well composted soil, a cool, semi-shaded position and plenty of water during the hot summer. Keep the roots cool and damp by watering thoroughly two to three times per week in summer. They will also benefit from a cooling mist spray on their leaves. Give them a good mulching of composted leaves, bark chips or acid compost (keep colour in mind) to keep moisture in and keep their roots cool.

Hydrangeas should be pruned in late July or early August. A light pruning can be given in January by cutting flowers with woody stems for the vase.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

HYDRANGEA 'SWEET DREAMS' A soft pink lace cap hydrangea with more flowers than any other variety. Sturdy stems with an excellent vase life.

HYDRANGEA 'PINK LIPSTICK' Large, hot pink summer flowers. Its intense fuchsia colour will pop in your garden and fill your home with beautiful fresh flowers. The flowers age quite nicely into autumn as well. The glossy foliage is highly disease resistant. Soil pH will affect bloom colour. Excellent in groupings or mass planting, in perennial or shrub borders and as screens or hedges with a dash of bright colour. Use in containers. Excellent cut flower.