It is said that hydrangeas bloom with courage and confidence, encouraging the gardener to blossom into one’s best self while also teaching the power of patience. Hydrangea is one of the easiest garden plants to grow. For many years there was always a hydrangea in every lady’s garden. They march on even in the most difficult circumstances as hydrangeas are a very adaptable plant. They can bloom year after year with little care and little to no fertilizer, blooming summer into fall.

My hydrangeas are in full bloom right now. Just as the perennial border is getting ready for autumn the hydrangea is opening its beautiful flower heads, which are available in a variety of colors.

The requirements for the hydrangea in our area are well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They need plenty of organic material and 10-10-10 fertilizer in spring but not summer. Too much fertilizer will produce lush foliage but fewer blooms.

Hydrangeas need a deep drink of water one or two times a week. This deep watering is necessary to reach the roots. In the dry weather we have had this summer, get as much water to your hydrangea as you can. The hydrangea will curl its leaves in very hot weather. They should recover by evening when temperatures are cooler. Thankfully the humid weather we have had this summer suits the hydrangea just fine. In a bitter cold winter, dieback can be a problem.

There are many species of hydrangea. Two favorites are the panicle hydrangea, which grows 6 to 8 feet tall with creamy white to dusty rose flowers. It blooms on new wood. Endless summer has round, mophead blooms in pink, purple, blue, red or white. This blooms on both new and old wood.

Panicle hydrangea has cone shaped blooms and can grow 15 to 20 feet high. Lace cap hydrangea grows 6 to 10 feet tall with blue or pink blooms. Smooth hydrangea reaches about 3 to 5 feet with white to pink flowers. Its buds are set on new stems in spring. Lastly, oakleaf hydrangea will grow 7 feet tall with white to purplish pink flowers. Buds are set in midsummer through fall. One thing to note: Hydrangeas can be toxic to people and pets.

The time to prune your hydrangea depends on whether your plant blooms on old wood or new wood. Old wood refers to the previous year’s stems and new wood refers to this year’s stems. You can prune a plant that blooms on new wood every year. They will come back next spring ready to produce their flowers for the season. Do not wait until fall to prune. They set their buds in August and September for next season.

Hydrangea should start to bloom in July and continue into fall. If your hydrangea is not blooming well, it may be that it needs more sun, deep watering or spring fertilizer. You may be pruning at the wrong time and cutting the stems with the new buds. A spring cold snap can also affect the plant.

I love my hydrangea. They have the ability to adapt and thrive in different environments. They are a symbol of hope and renewal. After all these rules about water, fertilizer and proper pruning, I daily enjoy a beautiful 20-foot-tall, 75-year-old hydrangea that to my knowledge has never been fertilized, never watered by hand and yet blooms abundantly year after year.

(Rebecca Ryan is a lifelong resident of and gardener in the Bradford area. She retired from teaching at Bradford Area School District.)