Anyone ever tried growing Hydrangea in their bogs or ponds?

[Lisak1]

There are some new dwarf varieties of hydrangeas - we planted one this year that is supposed to stay 3 feet by 3 feet. We'll see! They are simply one of my favorites to grow - even if I do have to baby them along until they get established! There is nothing prettier than a hydrangea full of blooms!

 

[IPA]

Clethra alnifolia is my favorite plant, also a water loving bush, deciduous at that. I have a small clone I will be trying in the bog, maybe in a large lily basket. I guess one bonus with the hydrangea is you'll know if your pH changes ;D

 

[Gemma]

And don't forget Pinky Winky!
John

Is it like a Pink Diamond? I have 3 of those in tree form, it's the only Hydrangea I like

 

[Gemma]

Clethra alnifolia is my favorite plant, also a water loving bush, deciduous at that. I have a small clone I will be trying in the bog, maybe in a large lily basket. I guess one bonus with the hydrangea is you'll know if your pH changes ;D

I had no idea what plant it was so I googled! It reminds me of a "Butterfly Bush"!
Very nice! Let us know how it handles the bog

 

[IPA]

I had no idea what plant it was so I googled! It reminds me of a "Butterfly Bush"!
Very nice! Let us know how it handles the bog

The variety I have is Sixteen Candles Summersweet. It is a native species to this area. I'll put a small one in but if let go it would probably take over. It needs lots of water but I never water it enough. When it's in bloom there are so many bees and wasps I've never seen. They all seem very docile while visiting and I can get very close without worry, if I brush one it'll just move.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

"Hydrangea plants grow best in well drained soil that is high in organic matter. The plant requires a good deal of moisture; however, it is subject to root rots and other problems if the soil stays saturated for extended period"
Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

"Hydrangeas grow best in moist, well-drained soil."
The United States National Arboretum

 

[Nyboy]

I love Hydrangea and have a large collection at country house. I wait till fall clearance sale and pick them up cheap ( many are missing labels) The ones that do best are planted in boggy area next to natural pond. I know everything you read says well drained soil, but here in zone 6 summer they can not have enough water. Many times after rain flooding they are standing in water for a few days. Do I lose some sure, but love them and buy them cheap so willing to experiment with them. The ones that require a lot of attention are ones I have planted in 6 foot cement urns at end of driveway. They are firelight grafted to tree forum. I wanted something very special for curb appeal. Even with sprinklers set every 2 days they still need extra water. My favorite bog shrub is cranberry, spring covered in flowers fall deep bronze leaf color, winter covered in red berries. I would post photos but camera not working

 

[HARO]

I was reading that they love the water (their name is a clue). I have some planted in beds but am considering trying one in one of my bogs. Curious if anyone else has tried with success?

While I realize that Pecan no longer hangs out here, and this thread IS more than 5 years old, I just HAD to resurrect it! This Lace Cap hydrangea established itself on a pile of several rocks at the dark end of my pond.

John

 

[Marck]

It's good to know that at least some Hydrangea can take boggy conditions. Somebody should try one of the repeat-blooming Hydrangea macrophylla cvs. in a bog. They bloom on new wood all summer long, but only with ample summer moisture. The first one was 'Endless Summer' but there a number of cultivars released now.

This thread also mentioned Summer-sweet (Clethra alnifolia). I'm growing my first Summersweet this year. It's the dark pink cv. C. alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'. No flowers yet, but fast growth. I'm not growing it in a bog but my clay soil seems to be water-retentive enough for it to be happy.

 

[C.Kelly]

I read hydrangeas do not like soggy soil. I don't think they would work well in a bog, but if you have a small hydrangea why not try it? I have hostas in my bog and they love it! I had a ton of them and took a shot and I am happy I did!

 

[j.w]

@C.Kelly

 

[hamstermann]

I read hydrangeas do not like soggy soil. I don't think they would work well in a bog, but if you have a small hydrangea why not try it? I have hostas in my bog and they love it! I had a ton of them and took a shot and I am happy I did!

I've never tried it but would be interested to see your results if you do.

 

[HARO]

I guess that's my cue! Here's an updated picture of my volunteer hydrangea.

The pipe supports the net that keeps our resident kingfishers from consuming the goldfish. It's about 3 1/2' above the water, and the Hydrangea has grown right through it. (It gets cut back every Fall so I can remove the net.) While the plant started out atop a large rock, the roots now trail right into the water.
John

 

[hamstermann]

Wow, so the roots didn't start out in the water but on a wet log? How humid is it where you are?

 

[GBBUDD]

I have a white and a pink growing in the lower bog and even with the Japanese beetles eating every fiber of the leaves the flowers still reproduce constantly.