Do hydrangeas like sun or sun?
Hydrangeas prefer a position in dappled shade or where they will get morning sun, but not the harsh afternoon sun. They will not thrive in a fully shaded position either. Hydrangeas flower from mid- to late summer on the previous year’s growth. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas will bloom satisfactorily with little attention, but annual pruning encourages new, vigorous growth and a better flowering display. Likewise, other species, including climbing hydrangeas, will benefit from a trim.Really, any clay, terra cotta, or ceramic pot that catches your eye will work for hydrangeas. The size of your container matters, since the plant’s roots will need room to grow into during their stay.Many people think of hydrangeas as perennial flowers, but these plants are woody-stemmed shrubs that root differently than non-woody, soft-stemmed plants. That’s why rooting hydrangeas in water, like you may do with some houseplants, rarely succeeds.Hydrangeas in pots will dry out much more quickly than those planted in the ground, so during the hotter, drier months, check your plants regularly. Butler says: “In the summer, the pots will need watering every day and must be kept moist the rest of the year.
Where is the best place to plant a hydrangea macrophylla?
We recommend planting your hydrangea macrophylla in a location that allows for full morning sun with dappled shade in the afternoon. The further south you live, the less tolerant the hydrangea macrophylla is to the intense sun. Allow for 2-3 hours of morning sun with afternoon dappled or part shade. East Side. The east side of the house is the best planting location, as it gets the morning and afternoon sun. This is the best side of the house for your hydrangeas, traditionally.Do Hydrangeas Rebloom? Whether you have the big leaf, smooth leaf, or panicle type of hydrangea, you will see one spectacular bloom per year. As much as you may wish it, hydrangea reblooming does not occur on the standard varieties of the species.Prized for their fantastic flowers, hydrangeas have been successfully grown as blooming houseplants for ages. Unfortunately, indoor hydrangeas rarely survive winters and are considered temporary plants to enjoy while they last.
How much sun does a Hydrangea macrophylla need?
Light: Partial shade is ideal, though in cooler climates, Hydrangea Macrophylla can handle full sun. In hot areas, afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch. Simply water them daily if it’s sunny and hot out, or every other day if the temperature is lower. You’ll know your hydrangeas need water if the leaves and mopheads (or the blooms) start to wilt. On the other hand, if you’re overwatering, the leaves will turn yellow, she says.When exposed to excessive sunlight, their leaves may scorch, turning brown or yellow, and delicate blooms can wilt or fade prematurely. This stress often occurs in hydrangeas planted in full sun, particularly varieties like macrophylla which thrive in partial shade.Hydrangeas in pots will dry out much more quickly than those planted in the ground, so during the hotter, drier months, check your plants regularly. Butler says: “In the summer, the pots will need watering every day and must be kept moist the rest of the year.Indoor hydrangeas like to be in a light place but not in direct sunlight. The plant can’t handle too much sun. On an east-facing windowsill is fine. In the summer, you can move the hydrangea away from the window on the sunny side of the house.
Is Hydrangea macrophylla indoor or outdoor plant?
Florist hydrangeas are vulnerable to everything, needy and perform well outside only in perfect conditions. Now to your specific question, the answer is no. You can enjoy them inside for a while, but they are not houseplants. They need to experience the four seasons. Covering Your Hydrangeas If you’ve followed the proper winterization steps, your hydrangeas should be just fine left uncovered during the winter. However, there are a few exceptions. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood may need extra protection on extremely frigid nights (0 degrees Fahrenheit or below).Make sure your container will withstand the rigors of winter. If not you may want to move the plants to a nursery pot that can be placed inside the decorative pot during the growing season. Overwintering these types of hydrangeas indoors is difficult and usually not successful.If the air temperature doesn’t go below 0 degrees (zone 7) there is no need for winter protection. In colder climates, wrap or completely cover marginally hardy hydrangeas. This is especially important for those that bloom on old wood, such as mop head/big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla).To help prepare growing hydrangeas for winter, add a fine bark mulch to the base of the hydrangea plant. Remove the top inch of compost and replace with the mulch to add a layer of protection for the winter season.
How to keep a hydrangea alive indoors?
Avoid direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and fade the flowers. Hydrangeas prefer cool temperatures. Maintain daytime temperatures around 65–75°F (18–24°C) and nighttime temperatures between 50–60°F (10–15°C). These plants enjoy high humidity. Plant in the spring, and with proper care, they’ll last three to five years before needing to be repotted or planted in the ground. Give a container hydrangea a well-draining pot, at least four hours of sun each day, and lots of water to keep it from drying out.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 find that your soil doesn’t need three fertilizations, you can just fertilize twice: in spring and early summer. For hydrangeas you overwintered in containers, give them fertilizer in early spring and again in May. There’s no need to fertilize again during summer.So, when is the best time to plant hydrangeas? Aim for late spring, well after any danger of frost has passed, or early fall, when night temperatures usher in cooler air. If you garden in a region where the ground freezes, get plants into the ground at least six weeks prior to fall’s first killing frost.
What is the lifespan of a hydrangea plant?
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. Watering at the base mitigates the risk of foliar disease, which can happen when you water from the top and the foliage gets wet. Water your hydrangea until the soil is thoroughly moist. It’s best to water your plants early morning or later evening when the sun isn’t as intense.Established hydrangeas need to be watered deeply at the roots once or twice a week, but this will depend on your region’s soil and weather. If you’re dealing with higher temperatures, the more water your hydrangeas will need.It is better to thoroughly soak your hydrangeas every 2-3 days as opposed to a light daily shower, which may not seep far enough down to impact the roots. Water in the morning to give your plant the moisture it needs to hydrate throughout the day, and apply the water directly to the base and soil.
How to keep hydrangeas blooming all summer?
Skip summer pruning to avoid cutting off this season’s and next year’s blooms. Water deeply in the morning and don’t bother deadheading—hydrangeas don’t need it. An organic fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as Holly-tone, is the best choice for hydrangeas that thrive in lower pH soil, including bigleaf hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and mountain hydrangeas.We recommend feeding Hydrangea with a slow-release, granular fertilizer such as Plant-tone® + Iron-tone® OR Holly-tone® + Iron-tone® in both spring and midsummer. For a bloom boost, try applying Triple Phosphate, per package instructions, in addition to fertilizer.