Hydrangeas are like large clouds of floral beauty in the landscape . There ’s a circle you could love about hydrangeas in your garden . Their big green leaves bet like vivid white-hot snowballs , and their soft pink , blue , and purplish balls add up semblance to your yard .
Hydrangeas are so popular because certain varieties are long boo-boo so they render more color time . Plus , they are fearless and simple to grow , which makes them a great choice if you require to contribute some fun to your space .
Let ’s babble about the different kinds of hydrangea and how to take care of them so you could get the most out of these beautiful flower .
Hydrangeas are a popular flowering shrub that bring forth gorgeous blooms in shades of blue , pinkish , purple , and lily-white . They make a sensational addition to any outdoor space when in bloom . But many hydrangea plants are sold in stool , often as gifts or vacation works . So a common question is – can you plant a potted hydrangea outside in your garden ?
The short answer is yes , you could plant a potted hydrangea out of doors with proper attention . However there are some significant factor to consider first . In this complete guide we ’ll traverse everything you need to know about planting giving hydrangea outdoors .
Hardening Off Hydrangeas Before Planting
hydrangea sell as giving plants or holiday flora are usually farm in greenhouses so they bloom early . This means they are n’t acclimated to out-of-door condition . Before institute a gift hydrangea outside , you postulate to “ harden it off ” .
Hardening off is the appendage of step by step introducing a flora to outdoor conditions This toughens up the plant and scram it ready for life outside of the protect greenhouse environment
To harden off a gift hydrangea :
Keep it in a nerveless spot indoors aside from direct sunshine for 1 - 2 weeks . A porch or service department are idealistic if temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
Once nighttime temps are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and icing risk has passed , move the hydrangea outdoors to a shady spot during the day . Bring it back indoors at night .
After 7 - 10 days , you’re able to get out the plant outdoors at night if temperature remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
After 2 - 3 weeks of harden off , the plant will be quick for planting !
Hardening off is a critical footprint to ensure hydrangea wellness and success outdoors . skip this acclimatization fourth dimension often lead to plant impact or death .
Choosing the Right Location
When prefer where to plant your hydrangea , there are two primal gene to consider – sunlight and territory pH.
Sunlight Needs
Most hydrangeas do best with daybreak sun and good afternoon shade . purport for 3 - 6 hour of direct sunlight if potential . More Dominicus than this can burn leaves and bloom .
East face position that get morning sun or mottled sunshine throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are ideal . North face spots work too . Just keep off hot , direct afternoon sun from the Confederacy or west .
Soil pH Preferences
Soil pH affects hydrangea flower vividness . acidulent soils with pH below 5.5 will acquire blue blooms . Alkaline soils over pH 5.5 will ensue in pinkish flower .
If you want blue flowers , draw a bead on for a berth with acidic dirt . To make soil more acidic , add aluminum sulphate or elemental sulfur .
For pink bloom , choose a spot with naturally alkaline soil over pH 5.5 . add up calcined lime if needed to raise pH.
quiz your land ’s pH with a kit beforehand allows you to choose the ideal planting land site to accomplish your desired flower colour .
Planting Tips
When planting your hydrangea into the ground , pursue these tips :
Dig a hole 2 - 3 metre wide-eyed than the weed size . Depth should equate the flock .
mildly loosen roots before invest in hollow . Remove any circle roots .
Backfill with aboriginal grime , tamping down gently around root . Leave a flimsy natural depression .
Water thoroughly after planting . Top wearing apparel with 2 - 3 inch of mulch .
Stake for bread and butter if want . Some varieties can get quite large .
First Year Care
With right first yr care , your transplanted hydrangea will establish and expand . Here are some bakshis :
weewee 1 - 2 times per week for the first 3 months , then every week in first twelvemonth . Deep watering is good .
Apply a balanced fertilizer once in former summertime and again in former fall .
Prune only dead or damaged stems in first year . No major pruning yet .
supervise for pests like aphids . Treat pronto to avoid spread .
Protect with gunny or icing cloth if freezing temporary occur in first fall / winter .
Remove any flower buds that shape in first year . Energy should go to rootle growth .
Mulch each fall with 2 - 3 inches of bark , leaves , or other organic matter .
With good first year care , your hydrangea will build a strong theme system and be quick for years of development and gorgeous bloom !
Will It Bloom the First Year Outside?
Sadly , most potted hydrangeas will not bloom again in the first time of year after planting outside . Here ’s why :
blossom buds form in summer / fall for the next year ’s blooms . delve up the plant often destroys these buds .
The shock of transplantation forces the flora to rivet energy on young root growth rather than flower .
Greenhouse flora are forced to bloom early . Natural efflorescence time is mid - summer .
So while you may not get flowers the first yr , have longanimity ! If the hydrangea survives the winter , it should conciliate in and flower attractively in yr two . Ensuring honest first year care gives the plant its good hazard to fly high .
Winterizing Tips
Stop fertilizing by September so growth can decelerate and indurate off .
Prune only dead or discredited branches . Never cut goodish stems now .
Mulch hard after ground freezes . Oak leave , barque , or straw all work well .
twine or mound soil 1 ft high up around the base for insulation if very cold .
traverse with burlap , hoarfrost textile , or pale yellow if temperature drop below 5 degrees Fahrenheit .
piss once a month if wintertime is dry . Soil should never full dry out .
protect the roots , crown , and any bud that localize from uttermost cold will ensure your hydrangea makes it to spring . Then you may look forwards to beautiful blooms in yr two !
Ideal Species for Planting Outdoors
While all hydrangeas can be planted alfresco with right care , some species are better option than others for transplanting . The salutary case admit :
Hydrangea macrophylla – These popular bigleaf hydrangeas produce the iconic mophead and lacecap blush . They thrive alfresco if winter are moderate . Hardy to zone 5 .
Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle hydrangea are moth-eaten intrepid , tolerating temperatures down to geographical zone 3 . gentle to grow , they flower on newfangled Sir Henry Joseph Wood . ‘ spotlight ’ is a popular panicle .
Hydrangea arborescens – politic hydrangea blooms every summertime on fresh woods , so it ’s not prone to winter impairment . ‘ Annabelle ’ is a favorite arborescens .
Hydrangea quercifolia – Oakleaf hydrangeas have beautiful foliage and conelike bloom . Extremely winter unfearing for zones 5 - 9 .
Stick with these bulletproof hydrangea species when planting a natural endowment industrial plant outdoors , and you ’ll have the highest success charge per unit . obviate more soft type like Hydrangea serrata .
Troubleshooting Problems
Despite best crusade , sometimes issues crop up up when transitioning a hydrangea outside . Here are some common trouble and solutions :
Few or no blooms – This is very uncouth in the first yr after imbed as energy run short to settle down growth . Fertilize and await until 2d twelvemonth to judge blooms .
Wilt – Drooping leave normally point under watering . Check ground moisture and urine deeply if dry beneath the surface .
Leaf muscae volitantes / discoloration – Fungal disease is common . Apply fungicide and ameliorate air circulation .
Root bunk – Overwatering can lead to rotted roots . Let soil dry out out between tearing .
Dieback – abrasive wintertime harm can defeat stem . Prune all in branches in spring and protect in succeeding winters .
Pests – Aphids , scale of measurement and cat may appear . apply horticultural crude oil or insecticidal soaps for treatment .
With right care , most issues can be corrected and your hydrangea can bounce back sizeable ! But it may take some time and TLC .
When to Plant Hydrangea Cuttings Outside
When it comes to hydrangea cutting , plant those in the bound when the shrub ’s growth is peaking .
This also provide the reduce a whole growing season to mature into a full - sizing plant . Just like planting full plants , plant cutting in the early morning or even to avoid heat stress .
How to Care for Hydrangea Plants Seasonally
Hydrangeas are generally very easy to take care of . Most of them do n’t care it when it ’s very hot , so ensure they get some ghost , even if it ’s only in the afternoon .
While they can be mature in most grease , they like deep , damp soil that drains well .
Seasonally , there are some specific hydrangea care tips you may follow to keep your plants in skillful configuration .
Watering is of import to advance ancestor growth . weewee at a rate of 1 inch per calendar week throughout the growing season . Bigleaf and smooth hydrangea lean to require more water , but all hydrangea variety like consistent moisture .
Adding mulch in the bounce can help keep the land moist and cool . Organic mulch will also break down over metre , adding nutrients to the soil .
Bigleaf hydrangeas do best with lightsome fertilization in March , May , and June . Oakleaf and paniculata hydrangea , on the other handwriting , do best with two covering in April and June .
you may control some hydrangea flower colors by changing the soil pH. A low grease pH allow hydrangea to suck up Al , work the peak more blue . you could do this by adding peat moss to the ground or more aluminum sulphate to the ground as the maturate time of year goes on . Do n’t over - do it though as too much can make perniciousness . Accentuate pink and red tones by adding solid ground limestone to increase the pH.
Hydrangeas grow best in dirt that has a good amount of constitutive material , as well as good drain .
Fall is the best time to plant hydrangeas .
tardy winter is a cracking meter to fecundate quiet hydrangea .
If stale winters burn the tips of branches , think to prune all in wood in the late wintertime / early spring .
When to Plant Hydrangeas
FAQ
Can I institute a potted hydrangea in the earth ?
Where is the best place to plant hydrangeas alfresco ?
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor hydrangeas ?
When can hydrangeas be planted outside ?
Can hydrangeas be planted outside ?
It is always in force to set the potted hydrangea outside whenever possible . It should only be plant outdoors in early to mid summer as it take time to acclimate to outdoor condition before winter arrives . In sum-up , foil wrapped hydrangea are best used as a temporary plant in ones home unless it can be planted in the garden .
When should you move a potted Hydrangea outside ?
Late spring or former fall is the best clip to move your potted hydrangea out of doors . Before moving your industrial plant alfresco , verify the temperature outside is suited for your plant . Sudden temperature change can offend the industrial plant . Slowly expose your plant life to outdoor circumstance . Moreover , works change when bring out of doors are a change in light exposure .
Where should hydrangeas be establish ?
It ’s recommended to place the plant near a window face south . When growing hydrangeas outside , keep in mind the change sunlight throughout the day and season . As the sunlight go across the sky , the amount and severity of sun on the plant will change .
Do hydrangeas need a hose ?
Hydrangeas and most plants actually ask good airflow around their roots . So , quash pile up the mulch too high . or else , disperse it out around the edges of the flora . Make certain you give your hydrangea a good soak at the roots . you could seize a hose and really get in there to verify they stick nice and hydrous .
