What’s the best month to plant hydrangeas?
Although it depends somewhat on your location, there are generally two ideal times to plant hydrangeas each year. In my opinion, the best time to plant hydrangeas is either early spring (April to May) or early fall (September to October), depending on your region, says horticulturist Kate Walz. Blooming hydrangeas are one of the most elegant and beautiful highlights in any garden. Starting in mid summer and continuing into September, Hydrangea paniculatas take center stage. With their fresh foliage and large cone shaped flowers, they add a dramatic accent to any garden border or planting bed.The easiest hydrangea to grow are the Lacecaps and Mopheads, as you can simply remove the old flower heads in the spring, cutting down to a pair of buds and that’s it. Hydrangea is a green wheelbarrow shrub, being easy to grow and tolerant of most conditions.Hydrangea plants typically enjoy a lifespan of 20 to 50 years, depending on the variety and the care they receive. Under optimal conditions, some varieties can even surpass the 50-year mark, thriving for decades.Hydrangeas don’t tolerate soggy soil. They prefer moist but well-draining conditions, and planting them in heavy clay or low-lying areas that hold water can result in root rot. Gardeners often describe this as “wet feet,” a condition that stresses the plant’s roots and can kill it over time.Late summer into early autumn is the perfect time to plant hydrangeas to add vibrancy to your garden. If you plant wisely during August and early September, you can ensure your garden flourishes with a bright range of colourful flowers as the summer begins to cool.
What not to plant next to hydrangeas?
Not all plants pair well with hydrangeas. Here are some combinations to avoid: Sunflower prefers full sun and hotter conditions than hydrangeas, which require some shade. Lavender is a sun-loving perennial that performs best in dry conditions and leaner soil, so will not thrive near hydrangeas. The best choice of hydrangeas in garden centres is available from mid-summer when they are in flower, but containerised plants are available all year round. Check the height on the label as some will grow into sizeable shrubs.You’ll find potted hydrangeas for sale at nurseries during the growing season. If possible, buy your plant when it’s blooming, so you’re sure you’re getting the flower type—and color—you want.The price of a hydrangea shrub varies based on the type and size. Smaller shrubs may cost as little as $25, while mature shrubs or unique varieties can cost over $100.
What is the easiest hydrangea to grow UK?
The easiest hydrangea to grow are the Lacecaps and Mopheads, as you can simply remove the old flower heads in the spring, cutting down to a pair of buds and that’s it. Hydrangea is a green wheelbarrow shrub, being easy to grow and tolerant of most conditions. Not all plants pair well with hydrangeas. Here are some combinations to avoid: Sunflower prefers full sun and hotter conditions than hydrangeas, which require some shade. Lavender is a sun-loving perennial that performs best in dry conditions and leaner soil, so will not thrive near hydrangeas.Hydrangeas are one of the most popular perennial garden shrubs with a variety of foliage and flower shapes. Hydrangeas can be grown in containers; however, for longevity, planting in the ground is best. If grown in pots, it is usually best to pick a dwarf variety in order to accommodate growing needs.To encourage abundant blooms and keep plants a manageable size, smooth hydrangeas are typically cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. If a larger shrub is desired, gardeners may prune some of the stems to the ground and leave others at varying lengths, from one to two feet.The best time to plant hydrangeas is early fall or spring, depending on your region. In areas with mild winters, planting in September or October allows the roots to establish before winter dormancy. In colder climates, it’s better to plant in early to mid-spring (April or May) after the risk of frost has passed.For gardeners who want to maximize flower production across all hydrangea varieties, Flower-tone is the ideal choice. With a higher phosphorus content, this fertilizer encourages larger and more vibrant blooms. The added potassium strengthens plants, improving their resilience to environmental stress.
Are hydrangeas better in pots or ground?
Hydrangeas can be grown in containers; however, for longevity, planting in the ground is best. If grown in pots, it is usually best to pick a dwarf variety in order to accommodate growing needs. When is the best time to take hydrangea cuttings? The ideal time is late spring to early summer for softwood cuttings, or late summer for semi-hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings are best in late autumn.This timing will vary by region. For instance, in areas with winter freezing and snow, hydrangeas should be planted in early spring or early fall (as soon as summer heat breaks). In warmer regions with mild winters, the window for planting hydrangeas is longer, from fall all the way through to early spring.
Do hydrangeas prefer sun or shade?
Ideal planting sites combine four to six hours of morning sun with late-afternoon shade. In northern areas with less intense sun, hydrangeas need less shade. In southern zones, they need more. Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil. It essentially changes the pH of the foliage, which makes it unpleasant for the fungus. The pH of baking soda is pretty high (about 9-ish). That bit of info tells you that if you apply it to the soil, you have a high probability of raising the pH, which for hydrangeas isn’t good.It can take weeks or even months to years to adjust the soil pH and therefore adjust the color of your hydrangea plants. So, it takes careful planning and patience. But it’s worth the wait!
What do you do with hydrangeas in October?
You can clip the dead flowers off the plant just below the bloom, or leave it on the plant into the winter. Most dried hydrangea flowers break off sometime in the winter and any that remain on the plant can be removed in the spring. Don’t “neaten them up”! If you enjoy puttering in the garden or like a neater appearance, go ahead and deadhead your hydrangea as needed. But you won’t harm the plant or affect blooming if you don’t, says Hirvela.Avoid pruning Hydrangeas in the Autumn or winter! The flower buds protect the hydrangea in winter from freezing temperatures and add winter interest in your garden. One reason the Soto team love Hydrangeas so much is for their beautiful skeletal form in the winter. Prune hydrangeas before the first frost.Don’t cut down to the ground unless you’re working with Smooth (Annabelle) or Panicle hydrangeas – those bloom on new wood and can handle heavy pruning, but it’s still better to wait until late winter/early spring. Rule of thumb: If your hydrangea blooms in summer on old wood → only deadhead in fall.It may seem counterintuitive, but deadheading doesn’t hurt the plant at all. In fact, because Endless Summer® hydrangeas rebloom, deadheading helps focus the hydrangeas energy on producing more blooms for you to enjoy throughout the season.