Gardener and best-selling author Simon Akeroyd has revealed a simple, cost-free method to multiply hydrangeas in any garden, using just water and a few basic steps. The technique, shared on TikTok, allows gardeners to create new plants from existing bushes without spending money.
Why Hydrangeas Need Special Care
Hydrangeas are beloved for their spectacular summer blooms, which can last for months if maintained correctly. However, their large, thick bushes require consistent attention, especially during hot weather. Akeroyd's method focuses on propagating non-flowering shoots to generate new plants.
The Four-Step Propagation Method
In his video, Akeroyd demonstrates how to identify and prepare cuttings. Step one: find non-flowering shoots on a mature hydrangea bush, identifiable by green leaves and no colorful flowers. This is best done in summer.
Step two: cut the branch just below a bud at the base, then remove all leaves from the bottom of the shoot. Step three: place the cutting in a glass of water. "Hydrangeas love water, hence 'hydra' meaning water," Akeroyd explains. Leave the glass in a sunny spot, like a windowsill, for two to six weeks until roots emerge.
Step four: once roots form, plant the new hydrangea in a pot with soil or directly in the garden. Akeroyd recommends a bright, sheltered spot with morning sun, afternoon shade, and moist, rich soil, according to Garden Tech. The new plants will bloom in summer and autumn.
Benefits and Results
This method yields free hydrangea plants, turning one bush into a garden showstopper. Akeroyd's video concludes with him displaying a blooming bush, saying, "Enjoy your new hydrangeas." The technique is cost-effective and accessible for all gardeners.
