ground layering – Hydrangeas Blue

As I uncovered the leaves from the base of the Blushing Bride hydrangea, I found that a couple of the branches had formed roots which will be new plants! This form of ‘root layering’ or ‘ground layering’ is a great way to start a new shrub from an established one.

little hydrangea offshoot — Rooted Hydrangea Branch

It’s bare and spindly looking stems are curving out from the center and then upward and at least two of them were touching the ground enough to form roots. Now, new growth is showing beyond the roots which means I will have a couple of new little baby hydrangea plants!
I have propagated hydrangeas this way before, back when I lived in my rental house. I had found a rooted stem with big leaves and a flower that was growing separate from the main bush, so I dug it up and planted it near the front steps. You can read about how I did it on my Propagating Hydrangeas page about root layering.
So for now I will let the babies grow – attached to the main plant – until they get larger. I’ll probably dig them up in the Fall and find them a place to grow on their own. I love to find free ways to landscape. Isn’t that exciting?

Mother’s Day is The Time to Shop For Hydrangeas (hydrangeasblue.wordpress.com)
What Will I Find Beneath All That Snow? (hydrangeasblue.wordpress.com)
Introducing the First Purple Leaved Hydrangea Plant (funflowerfacts.com)
The Post-Winter Hydrangea Inspection (hydrangeasblue.wordpress.com)

blue flowers — Create another shrub easily.

Most people think of starting a new hydrangea plant from a cutting, but I am talking about propagating by root or ground layering here – and it’s especially easy if it’s been done for you by mother nature.

My new yard has no hydrangeas, except for the tiny ones I planted this fall. But the duplex I rented for three years had a large, beautiful bush right outside my front window.

As I was weeding around it one spring I found a low hanging branch that had rooted itself into the dirt. I dug it up (with permission from the landlady) and replanted it near the front steps.

The following year she had another little hydrangea shrub to decorate her yard – for free! All it took was digging and watering. It’s an easy, and super cheap, way to increase the beauty of your landscape. And you’ll know exactly what you are getting!

Read the full story with photos by clicking here. And check those low lying branches this Spring – it’s coming.