Pruning Hydrangeas: Steps 2 and 3 Detail and Pinch Pruning
Saturday, May 3
10 am-12 pm OR 1-3 pm

Heritage’s Curator of Hydrangeas, Mal Condon, has over many years developed the seasonal step approach to more effectively prune our beloved hydrangeas. This program is the follow-up to Mal’s Step 1 Regenerative Pruning program in March and illustrates a logical progression in hydrangea pruning. In this program, Mal will focus on Step 2 Detail Pruning for the species H. macrophylla, H. serrata, H. arborescens, and H. paniculata – in common terms, the ‘Big Leaf,’ ‘Mountain,’ ‘Smooth,’ and ‘Panicle’ Hydrangeas. Step 3 Pinch Pruning is exclusive to just the H. macrophylla and H. serrata species. This program demonstrates the continuing application of practicing specific pruning steps during specific times of the year to optimize plant form and bloom density.

The required techniques for both Steps are easily learned and practiced. Mal’s detailed remarks will cover the specifics for pruning each species and all the tools and tips you’ll need to address your plants. Timing-wise, Step 2 Detail Pruning is a May event and Step 3 Pinch Pruning is practiced in July. Mal has been evaluating both pruning Steps for some time on H. macrophylla and H. serrata cultivars. Step 2, however, is quite new to the H. arborescens and H. paniculata species and largely remains exploratory. Experiences to date have been encouraging, particularly concerning plant form and size containment. Mal will share critical details of what has been learned to date and will encourage you to contribute to this continuing and interesting development.

This program also includes bonus content, as Mal will additionally address two other important and timely subjects – fertilizing and bloom color control. Even with all there is to cover in this program, there will still be plenty of time allotted in this small group session for questions and discussion. Following the program, you’ll receive a PDF file including presentation content via email for your reference. Advance registration is required, and we expect this popular program to sell out quickly.

This program will take place rain or shine. In good weather, much of it will take place outdoors in the gardens. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held fully indoors inside the Heald Center at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery.

Program fees fund Heritage’s mission to inspire people of all ages to explore, discover, and learn together. Thank you for your support.

Program Registration Fee: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members

Hydrangea Planting and Replanting
Saturday, May 17
10 am-12 pm

This small-group, hands-on workshop session is geared toward gardeners who wish to learn more about Heritage’s successful practices associated with the very important garden chores of planting and replanting. This is a true “dirt under the fingernails” program, and while it focuses on hydrangeas, the practices are largely universal to most of the woody ornamentals you would plant on Cape Cod. Major subjects that will be addressed include specifics on hydrangea species vs. site selection, planting area preparation, root pruning, soil composition and amending, mulching, fertilizing, watering, and hilling-in and wintering-over plants. Timing-wise, planting and replanting is typically a major mid-spring gardening activity as new plant stocks are just arriving at local plant nurseries.

In addition to sharing his best practices gained over many years of hydrangea growing, Mal Condon, Heritage’s Curator of Hydrangeas, will cover details of his special tools and techniques that facilitate this essential area of understanding. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions and discussion. Following the program, you’ll receive a PDF file including presentation content via email for your reference. Advance registration is required, and we expect this popular program to sell out quickly.

This program will take place rain or shine. In good weather, much of it will take place outdoors in the gardens. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held fully indoors inside the Heald Center at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery. In any weather situation, we will meet and conclude our session indoors.

Program Registration Fee: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members

Growing Hydrangeas in Containers with Guest Instructor, Linda Coven
Tuesday, May 29
5:30-7:30pm

Of all the hydrangea species, H. macrophylla is the best suited to growing in a container, especially a decorative one whose color and style blend with the charming blossoms of the hydrangea and companion plants. This container-friendliness is a very good thing, as our beloved ‘macs’ are the least cold-hardy of the hydrangea species group, and they appreciate isolation from direct contact with any winter severity. Curator of Hydrangeas Mal Condon has developed superior ways to enhance both plant growth and winter protection attributes through his “Pot-N-Pot” and “Bag-N-Pot” growing techniques that will be explored during this small-group workshop. This method gives the gardener total control over plant growing conditions, particularly during the freezing months. It truly provides the only way you can obtain reliable and repeatable summer blooming – even on Cape Cod!

The blooming beauty of the H. macrophyllas is especially appreciated when plants are located close at hand – like on your deck, patio, or porch. Singly or in groups, you can move them around to achieve varied floral displays and can adjust for changing sun and/or shade conditions as the growing season progresses. They can also become “garden art” within your traditional planting areas. Given reasonable care, this species can remain in the same pot or bag for several years. Interestingly, many H. mac cultivars like being root-constrained, often flowering better in containers than when planted in the ground.

Best of all, this container growing arrangement provides an effective mobility factor – this component system makes it comparatively easy to move and protect these cold-sensitive plants. Mal is especially fond of his time-honed methods and will share full details. He will be joined by expert guest Linda Coven of Strictly Hydrangeas who will demonstrate the fine composition skills she has developed to “completely” plant your container in an enviable fashion. She will share her favorite “fillers” and “spillers” to compliment the central hydrangea “thriller” in your containers. Following the program, you’ll receive a PDF file including presentation content via email for your reference. Advance registration is required, and we expect this popular program to sell out quickly.

Linda Coven is the owner of Strictly Hydrangeas, an upscale hydrangea-focused landscape maintenance business. She is a lifelong gardener, with a special interest in all things hydrangeas. She’s a Master Gardener and former co-president of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society. Linda’s personal garden has also been a regular star attraction on the Hydrangea Festival Garden Tour for the past several years.

This program will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held fully indoors at the Heald Center inside the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery.

Program Registration Fee: $35 Members, $45 Non-Members

Installing Drip Irrigation
Thursday, June 12
5:30-7:30 pm

Hydrangeas Love It and You Can Do It!

Join expert gardener and Heritage’s Curator of Hydrangeas Mal Condon to learn why his “LEGOs for Gardeners” system is essential for keeping our hydrangeas happy during our often too dry summers – and how you can install drip irrigation in your home garden. Successful irrigation for hydrangeas (and all the other woody ornamentals in your garden) is all about surface irrigation via low-flow drip emitters to gradually apply water to the base of the plant on a defined schedule. The installation techniques demonstrated during this program are well within the capabilities of most gardeners, and DIY-ers will love it! During this small group workshop, you’ll see exactly how it’s done, be introduced to the needed tools and supplies, and learn where to obtain them. Even if you’re not interested in doing the installation work yourself, you’ll become knowledgeable enough to better interact with your chosen irrigation contractor.

There will be plenty of ongoing time for questions and discussion and following the program, you’ll receive a PDF file via email containing presentation content for your reference. Advance registration is required, and we expect this popular program to sell out.

This program will take place rain or shine. In good weather, it will take place partly outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held fully indoors inside the Heald Center at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery. In either weather situation, we will meet and conclude our session indoors.

Location: Check in at the Ticketing Pavilion

Program fees fund Heritage’s mission to inspire people of all ages to explore, discover, and learn together. Thank you for your support.

Program Registration Fee: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members