Hydrangeas: Everything You Need to Know About America’s Favorite Shrub

Join us for an informative session on hydrangeas, one of America's most beloved shrubs. 

This presentation by Master Gardener Karen Fricke covers the six most popular hydrangea species grown today, their unique characteristics, and the best ways to grow and care for them. Learn essential tips on soil, pruning (including the confusing subject of old and new wood), and troubleshooting common issues, as well as how to maximize and enjoy their stunning blooms throughout the seasons. 

Whether you're a novice gardener or a seasoned pro, this talk will provide you with everything you need to know to make the most of these beautiful plants in your own garden.

Born on a farm in central Illinois, Karen Fricke was digging in the dirt before she could walk.  Through her years as a magazine editor, high school teacher, graduate student, stay-at-home mom to four, and fiber artist, she always found her way outside to the garden. She became a Master Gardener in Maryland in 2014, and worked at a plant nursery, where she developed and ran their educational workshop program. Karen and her husband moved to New Jersey in 2022 to be closer to children and grandchildren, and she transferred to the Essex County Master Gardeners program. Throughout her years at Master Gardener plant clinics and working at the plant nursery, the most common question she heard is, “Why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming?”

This program is in collaboration with the Master Gardeners of Essex County.