Hydrangeas 101
Saturday, March 8
10 am-12 pm

Heritage’s Curator of Hydrangeas, Mal Condon, has developed a new addition to our Garden Education Series for 2025, and it deserves to be this year’s first session! The information presented in this session is truly fundamental to learning about our much-loved Hydrangea genus as we will share the details of each of the six major species. We’ll look at specific characteristics – like blossom composition, of course – but with more attention to the significant definitive differences between the species – plant form, leaf shape, texture and color, stem features and bud details – so that you may more readily identify the hydrangeas in your garden. More importantly, armed with this knowledge, you’ll be better able to appreciate the often subtle but critical cultural issues we’ll be presenting in our subsequent sessions like Pruning, and Planting and Replanting.

While this program is principally directed to the newer hydrangea enthusiast, it may be a worthwhile repeat visit for the more senior gardener as well. Repetition can provide powerful reinforcement.

This session will be held in the Heald Center at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery. If the weather cooperates, we’ll venture outside into the nearby gardens to examine the dormant hydrangea species up-close in their late winter dormancy mode. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion, and you’ll also receive a PDF handout of Mal’s presentation containing all the relevant text and graphics following the program for your reference.

 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

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

Pruning Hydrangeas: Step 1 Regenerative Pruning – All Major Species
Saturday, March 15
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. By practicing specific pruning steps during specific times of the year you will have the best opportunity to optimize plant form and bloom density. Mal is always evaluating new strategies and routinely refines his best practices, generously sharing his knowledge and experience through his teachings. Join us as he presents the critical details of this important Step 1 – Regenerative Pruning – as it applies to all major species.

During this small group session, you’ll learn how to identify and remove dead and declining wood while retaining strong, productive stems that will yield improved plant vigor, increase bloom count, check plant height, and enhance overall ornamental value. Mal’s detailed remarks will cover each major species and all the tools, tips, and techniques you’ll need for success with your own plants. Even with all there is to cover in this program, there will still be plenty of time allotted for questions and discussion. You will also receive a PDF handout of Mal’s presentation containing all the relevant text and graphics following the program for your reference. And, as Step 1 Pruning is a late winter / early spring practice, you can apply your new knowledge at home almost immediately! 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

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

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