How big does a hydrangea bush get?
Some only grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, while others grow up to 6 feet tall with a 6 foot spread. Smaller hydrangea varieties are perfect for compact garden beds, patio pots and areas with limited space. They also require less pruning and upkeep, because they won’t overgrow their planting area. 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.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.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.Ideally, they love a bit of sunshine in the morning, followed by some cool shade for the rest of the day. By this logic, the best place to plant a hydrangea is on the East side of your home.
What is the lifespan of a hydrangea?
Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season. Winter Damage Don’t panic and throw your hydrangea out. Give the plant a few weeks in spring before determining what’s really dead and gone. Even if the stems have died, a flush of new growth often appears at ground level.One of the best times to plant hydrangeas is in the fall – this gives time for the roots to get established before any harsh weather sets in.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.Hydrangeas that are grown in more sun than they like will often flag on hot days. They may recover at night, but if they continue to wilt every day, they may become stressed, making them more prone to damage from pests and diseases. And they’ll look tired with drooping flowers that often don’t attain full size.Yes, Hydrangeas are perennials: they go dormant in winter and come back in the spring on their own, assuming you’ve planted varieties suited for your Zone. Gardeners in northern Zones must take care to choose winter-hardy varieties.
Can hydrangeas be kept small?
Fortunately, there is a plethora of exquisite dwarf hydrangeas available for home gardeners. For those with small spaces or for anyone who wants to try small hydrangeas in their garden or even in containers, here are some of our favorite dwarf hydrangea varieties to try. When hydrangeas grow lots of leaves but no flowers, it is often due to excessive nitrogen in the soil, which encourages foliage over blooms. Insufficient sunlight can also cause lush growth without flowers, especially in varieties that need 3-4 hours of direct light.Most hydrangea plants bloom best in part shade, but some will tolerate full shade or full sun. The amount of sun they can handle depends on your location—in areas further north they can take more sun, while further south they prefer just a few hours of morning sunlight.The hydrangea flower clusters can last up to 2 months, depending on the cultivar, climate, and how well you take care of them.Perennials To Plant With Hydrangeas Shade tolerant perennials make excellent partners next to hydrangeas. Some of the best are hostas, ferns, foxglove & coral bells. Many upright hydrangeas create a shady area under their foliage. This is a great location for planting shade-loving hostas.
How long does it take a hydrangea to reach full size?
However, most varieties of hydrangeas take two to four years to mature to full size. You can cut new wood hydrangeas all the way back to the ground. They can be pruned as early as fall and as late as spring before new growth starts.No, you will not hurt a new wood hydrangea plant if you decide not to deadhead it. The blooms will naturally fade and fall off on their own over time. In fact, leaving the spent flowers can add winter interest and, on old wood hydrangeas, even protect the plant’s new buds from frost.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.This adaptable hydrangea can handle a range of climates and soil conditions, flowering reliably year after year. An annual prune will keep them looking their best, but you won’t need to complete much maintenance beyond that.
Do hydrangeas need a lot of space?
Many new varieties are designed for small spaces, and they stay just 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. But other hydrangeas can reach 20 feet tall or more. Always choose varieties that will still fit their planting site when they mature. Long, pyramidal flower clusters mark panicle hydrangea stems. With shrinking lot sizes and less gardening space, more homeowners are turning to dwarf hydrangea varieties that are suited to small yards. Dwarf, compact, or mini varieties have the same appealing traits of larger hydrangeas, packed into a smaller size.The short answer is no. Pruning your hydrangeas just before winter will leave them even more susceptible to winter damage, and you’re at risk for cutting off future flowers.As rapid growers—averaging about 2 feet of growth per year—larger varieties of hydrangeas can reach up to 15 feet tall. Applicable in growing zones 3 to 9, hydrangeas are a low-maintenance plant that, with proper care, will return year after year.If you have had problems in the past with your hydrangeas not blooming, it may be because you have pruned them at the wrong time or the frost has killed your blooms. Now is the time to prune them. September will be too late.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.
What not to plant next to a hydrangea?
Sage and hydrangeas are not a good mix. Sage thrives in dry, well-drained soil and full sun, while hydrangeas prefer partial shade and moist soil. When planted near each other, sage may suffer from too much moisture, while hydrangeas could struggle with a lack of nutrients and competition for root space. Quick Facts — Companion Plants for Hydrangeas Shade/part-shade allies (great with Bigleaf, Mountain, Oakleaf, Climbing) include Astilbe, ferns, Hosta, Heuchera, Brunnera, and Tiarella. For sunnier spots (Panicle, Smooth), try Daylily, Salvia, Nepeta, Echinacea, and Rudbeckia.Most hydrangeas like part sun (4-6 hours of direct sun) or dappled shade,” says Natalie Carmolli with Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. She points to mountain (H. H. H.Hydrangeas for Full Sun: We Like It Sunny While most common hydrangea plants need some shade, especially in warmer growing zones, panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) like Fire Light®, Limelight, Pinky Winky®, Strawberry Sundae®, and Vanilla Strawberry® can thrive in full sun.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.
Where is the best place to plant hydrangeas?
In the South, plant them where they will receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade. With these conditions, you can grow the extremely popular French (also called bigleaf) hydrangea or panicle hydrangea. In northern regions, these same types of hydrangeas will grow in all-day sun. 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. The east side of your home will likely get wonderful morning sun and afternoon, providing hydrangeas with ideal conditions for beautiful flowers.The best location for most hydrangeas is the east side of your home, but this will depend on your growing location and the structures of the home and any trees or structures around that could block the sun.