Bear in mind that they'll flower at a more normal time next year. Hydrangeas bought earlier in the year are often forced for a specific market [usually Easter] and are flowering much earlier than they would be when grown in the normal way. We've had even more queries on the forum this year than normal about it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Have had another look on google and there seems to be a bit more info out there, however as said before some contradictory info out there so not set in stone! I think the reason for these contraditions is that some use the same principal as used for looking after mainstrean hydrangeas whereas new cultivars such as runaway bride have their own specific requirements and flowering season.
1 - Flowering season is from May to September. Below pic is how mine looked back in 1st week of May when i bought it so doubt it was force flowered for easter.
2 - once it comes into flower basal shoots will start to grow extending past current seasons flowering stems, these new shoots will grow by up to a meter by autumn and form the basis for next seasons flowers.
3 - one of the most floriferous hydrangeas (apparently by up to 6 times as much) and as such requires more feeding than others but as its fairly compact not as much watering.
4 - There is too much contradictory info on pruning, some say to deadhead for more flowering while some say leave flowers till early spring to protect new buds swell in order to protect from frost. Also some say to cut new shoots to size If you prefer a more compact growth these can be cut back at the end of July but you will have less flowers next season. Another point i read is that you can trim the old shoots after flowering season as flowers grow on new shoots.
That looks beautiful. Mine is a bit of a shrimp by comparison. I hope it comes good. You also have a lender climate.
I also think that you have a younger plant compared to the one I bought as per above pic which is how it looked when i got mine from local GC. I am sure yours will look very similar to mine next year.
Just watching Gardeners World on tv and guess what, Monty Don has this hydrangea and it also has foliage which is swamping the flowers. He has just cut down the long green stems to expose the flowers. I think I'll do the same and just keep my fingers crossed for next year.
Yes, from what I have seen in pictures, Runaway Bride tends to produce a lot of flowers throughout the length of the stem so many of the blooms can be hidden by foliage by the end of the summer.
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Hydrangeas bought earlier in the year are often forced for a specific market [usually Easter] and are flowering much earlier than they would be when grown in the normal way.
We've had even more queries on the forum this year than normal about it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
1 - Flowering season is from May to September. Below pic is how mine looked back in 1st week of May when i bought it so doubt it was force flowered for easter.
2 - once it comes into flower basal shoots will start to grow extending past current seasons flowering stems, these new shoots will grow by up to a meter by autumn and form the basis for next seasons flowers.
3 - one of the most floriferous hydrangeas (apparently by up to 6 times as much) and as such requires more feeding than others but as its fairly compact not as much watering.
4 - There is too much contradictory info on pruning, some say to deadhead for more flowering while some say leave flowers till early spring to protect new buds swell in order to protect from frost. Also some say to cut new shoots to size If you prefer a more compact growth these can be cut back at the end of July but you will have less flowers next season. Another point i read is that you can trim the old shoots after flowering season as flowers grow on new shoots.