Shooting Star Hydrangea: A Holiday Star That Keeps on Giving

Forced into flower for the holidays, snow-white hydrangeas make perfect companions for red poinsettias and evergreens strung with colored lights. The new 'Shooting Star' lacecap hydrangea enhances seasonal decorations even more. Each double flower is shaped like a star within a star and holds its white color for four to six weeks before maturing into a greenish hue, which lasts another four to six weeks. Unlike most lacecaps, its sterile blooms don't sprinkle pollen onto furniture or floor.

Look for blooming 'Shooting Star' hydrangeas at supermarkets, garden centers, and department stores around the West. Most are sold in 6-inch pots. For holidays, keep in a cool spot with plenty of light. Water when top half-inch of soil dries out. As flowers fade, snip them off.

Everywhere except coldest climates, deserts, and low-elevation Hawaii, these hydrangeas become good garden shrubs 5–6 ft tall and wide. Plant outdoors when danger of killing frost is past (April or May in most areas). They like part shade, regular water, and fertilizer when new growth starts.

Hydrangea Basics

• Exposure: Full sun on coast; partial shade where afternoons are hot.
• Soil: Rich, porous; lighten heavy clay with compost or peat moss.
• Water: Irrigate regularly during growing season; established plants need less water in coastal areas.
• Pruning: To control size and shape, prune in winter in mild climates. Cut stems back to strongest pair of new shoots.
• To air-dry blooms: Cut whole flower heads when fully open and fresh. Put stems in small vase with 2 inches of water. As water evaporates, flowers dry to pale lime green. When fully dried (several weeks), snip individual blossoms to cluster in small vases.