Hydrangeas are Blooming Thanks to Washout Summer

Horticultural student amongst hydrangeas at RHS Wisley CREDIT: RHS/Oliver Dixon

Hydrangeas are in bigger and brighter bloom this year thanks to washout summer weather

The flowers are in the best health in years, according to the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS), thanks to a relatively warm spring, with no frosts, and a grey July and August, interspersed with spells of sunshine.

“Everything’s been good for hydrangeas,” said Guy Barter, the chief horticulturalist at the RHS. “The flowers are large and they’re very good quality- the colour is excellent.”

“There’s wonderful, fat blue Lace caps, for example, that are looking absolutely spectacular at the moment.”

Exbury Gardens in Hampshire, which is famous for its displays of over 80 Varieties of hydrangea, is also having a bumper year, its head gardener said.

 Fantastic display :

“We love hydrangeas at Exbury as they enjoy the same growing conditions as rhododendrons and azaleas which our woodland gardens are obviously famous for,” Tom Clarke said. “They give a fantastic display throughout mid to late summer.

“This is the best display we’ve had in years.”

The plants, native to Asia, have the characteristics of a hardy woodland plant, including large leaves, and do well in moist soil and low light, meaning this summer has been favourable.

July was one of the wettest on record, with the six highest rainfalls since 1836, and the unsettled weather has continued into August.

Meanwhile the bursts of sunshine in June encouraged the growth of flowers on the plants.

Oakley Farms in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire has grown an estimated 11,000 watermelons this year, setting a new UK production record despite a rainy July CREDIT: Joe Giddens/PA

The blooms are likely to last until well into September, meaning they are likely to stick around longer than the recent warm weather.

Other plants doing well include herbaceous perennials such as phlox and other woodland flowers such as astrantia, said Mr Barter.

But Mr Barter said a variety of plants was the best approach for British gardeners, given the unpredictability of the weather.

“Unfortunately for better or for worse, gardeners were very well advised to plant a range of plants, choosing ones that are suitable for the site and the soil,” he said.

Farmers have warned that the wet summer has upset harvests, and could impact the range of food on the supermarket shelves.

 Doubled annual production :

But at least one farmer has done very well despite the weather. Oakley Farms in Cambridgeshire has doubled its annual production of watermelons, setting a UK record.

The farm has grown an estimated 11,000 watermelons this year, up from around 5,500 in 2020.

The farm is the UK’s biggest producer of watermelons and also grows pumpkins and courgettes, which are both members of the cucurbit family, the same as watermelons.

“We have tried several different methods of growing the watermelons and are now getting more fruit per plant so the hard work is starting to pay off,” said Nick Molesworth, the farm’s manager.

“They are not that easy to grow and the British climate can also be challenging but we’re very pleased with this year’s crop.

Sources : The Telegraph, Emma-Environment, Editor 24 August 2023