Oakey Doke

QUESTION:

I hear you talking on the radio about your preference for oakleaf hydrangeas in warmer climates. Why is that? And what do you think is wrong with the new ones?

ANSWER:

During the heat waves a few months ago, none of our oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), suffered any damage. Some were in shade, a few in full morning sun, all planted in compost-rich soil, and every one flowered beautifully. By contrast, we grow ten modern hybrids – some in shade, some in morning sun – and almost all were virtually burnt to a cinder within two days. This wasn’t only during the heatwave; even on 25°C days beforehand, they required multiple daily waterings and umbrella shading to survive. Most of these new hybrids originate from Japan and Holland, with a few bred locally. They all prefer cooler, temperate gardens. I recently filmed a cut flower nursery in arid Bargo, NSW, exposed to heat and extreme dryness. They had half an acre of old-fashioned hydrangeas without any shade. Even at 40°C, none wilted or burnt. These are the old blue varieties your grandparents grew, and we still see them thriving in abandoned suburban properties. I’m going out next month to collect cuttings.