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When to Plant a Hydrangea
When to Plant a Hydrangea. Several species and cultivars of hydrangeas (*Hydrangea* spp. and cvs.) make ideal specimen, bedding and accent plants for home gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, where they are hardy. Many varieties have somewhat strict care requirements, and planting at the right time can give...
Several species and cultivars of hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp. and cvs.) make ideal specimen, bedding and accent plants for home gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, where they are hardy. Many varieties have somewhat strict care requirements, and planting at the right time can give your hydrangea a good head start.
Ideally, a hydrangea should be planted in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. Autumn is the second best time to plant, after the hottest part of summer but several weeks before the first hard frost.
A young hydrangea can be transplanted in summer; however, the plant will require much more water than normal during its first summer to ensure adequate root growth.
Several hydrangea species are readily available at garden centers and plant nurseries, and each species has numerous cultivars.
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia and cvs., USDA zones 5 through 9) is known for its large foliage that resembles oak leaves.
Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla and cvs., USDA zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety) has large, nearly spherical balls of blooms in pink, purple, white, red or blue.
Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata and cvs., USDA zones 3 through 8, depending on the variety) has large, conical clusters of blooms.
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens and cvs., USDA zones 3 through 9) offer large, typically white blooms, but some varieties have pink blooms.
Before planting your hydrangea, find the ideal location for it. Most kinds of hydrangeas grow best in filtered shade or areas with morning sunlight. Some varieties tolerate more sunlight. That is particularly true for panicle hydrangeas, which normally thrive with at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Hydrangeas are big-bloomed shrubs that require consistently moist, nearly wet and well-drained soil -- but not standing water. The planting site should be protected from strong winds as well because hydrangeas are prone to limbs breaking and other issues in heavy winds. The more sun exposure a hydrangea gets, the more frequently it needs water.
When planting your hydrangea, make its planting hole as deep as the plant's root ball and two- to three times as wide as the root ball. Gently break up the root ball with your fingers to loosen the roots.
The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends placing the root ball in the planting hole then filling the bottom one-half of the hole with soil. Water that soil. After the water drains, put soil in the remainder of the hole.
Ensure the plant's soil receives at least 1 inch of water per week from irrigation or rainfall throughout the plant's life. Supply more water in hot weather, particularly during the first growing season the plant is in the ground.
