hydrangea are prized ornamental shrubs that bloom attractively from fountain through declension . Their large showy efflorescence head come in shades of pink blue , purple , livid and unripe depend on the smorgasbord . However , hydrangeas mature quickly and can become overgrown and unruly over time . Dividing oversize hydrangeas helps rejuvenate them and controls their size of it . Here ’s a step - by - step guide to dividing overgrown hydrangea .
When to Divide Hydrangeas
split hydrangea is best done in early leap or late fall when the plants are dormant This reduces transplant stress , The specific timing depends on your climate
In colder zona , disunite in other spring before raw growth emerges .
In warmer zones , recent fall after the leave of absence drop is ideal .
Avoid dividing hydrangeas during summertime when they are actively growing .
separate every 2 - 3 years will serve maintain a healthy , doable size . Only divide when plants are overgrown and flowering diminution .
What You’ll Need
Gather these supplies before dividing hydrangeas :
Sharp shovel or gardening fork
Hand pruners or pruning hook
Heavy duty knife for woody source
Twine or rope
pot soil and compost
Mulch such as woods chip or stubble
Wheelbarrow for moving sectionalisation
Step 1: Prepare the Plant
part by remove any idle branch and clearing the orbit around the hydrangea . Untangle vine or remove rocks and debris that may block digging .
Prune back overlong , unsightly stems using loppers . This prepares the shrub for transplanting while removing weak Sir Henry Joseph Wood .
Step 2: Water the Plant
Water the hydrangea soundly 1 - 2 days before dividing . This makes digging easier and prevents inordinate solution hurt . Provide a abstruse soaking to dampen the entire root zone .
Step 3: Dig Around the Roots
Use a shovel to dig a oceanic abyss 1 - 2 base out from the drip line of work . Make the deep 6 - 12 inches cryptical . piece cleanly through any loggerheaded surface roots extending into the trench .
Deepen the trench further , working around the ascendant musket ball margin until you may lever and pry up the primary shrub . head off unreasonable hacking and lacrimation of the roots .
Step 4: Divide the Root Ball
lie the hydrangea on its side . employ a piercing knife to slice up the antecedent globe into segments . Aim for sections with 3 - 5 hefty stems each .
division should have an ample portion of fibrous feeder roots . This ensure rapid establishment . Discard any divisions that lack sufficient roots .
Step 5: Transplant the Divisions
Dig holes for the divisions a scrap wider and deep than the solution balls . Space holes at least 3 - 5 foot asunder to allow next growth .
Backfill with a mix of pot soil and compost . gear up the partitioning in the holes at original soil deepness . Firm the mix mildly around the stem .
Step 6: Water Thoroughly
irrigate each division exhaustively after planting to remove breeze pockets and soak the roots . Provide additional lacrimation every few day until plants are re - established .
Step 7: Apply Mulch
Spread 2 - 3 inches of organic mulch around the transplantation . Mulching economize wet and oppress weeds . reincarnate the mulch bed annually .
Step 8: Stake Tall Stems
Stake any overly tall or floppy stems for support while the hydrangea establishes . Use mild flora ties to stave off harm . Remove stakes after several months once stems strengthen .
Aftercare Tips
Inspect division on a regular basis and H2O when the top few inch of soil become dry .
Wait to feed until after new growth emerge in leaping . Use a balanced constituent fertilizer .
Remove pass bloom to boost additional blooming . Do n’t prune otherwise the first season after dividing .
look on for foretoken of transplant shock like wilting . It ordinarily sink within 1 - 2 weeks as root word recoup .
Benefits of Dividing Overgrown Hydrangeas
Dividing oversize , neglected hydrangeas offers many benefit :
Restores vigor and improves blossom
Prevents crowding and competitor between stems
Promotes soil aeration and settle down nutriment
Multiplies your hydrangea collection
Controls size without frequent pruning
Rejuvenates old , overgrown shrub
allow moving hydrangeas to better locations
Dividing overgrown hydrangea involve forbearance and care . But the oddment result is beautiful , healthy shrub with prolific blooms to enjoy . With the correct technique and aftercare , your divided up hydrangeas will quickly settle in and boom .
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FAQ
Can you divide a mature hydrangea ?
What do I do if my hydrangea is too adult ?
Can you grasp up and divide hydrangeas ?
How do you divide hydrangeas ?
Use your hand or a clean garden tool to gently ramify the sections , have sure that each segment has enough good for you root attached . The best time to divide hydrangeas are springtime , before new growth emerges , and fall , several weeks before the first Robert Frost . Water the hydrangea thoroughly the day before to facilitate loosen the soil around the roots .
How do you separate a Hydrangea plant ?
With the hydrangea plant raise from the primer coat , carefully shake off any spare ground from the root formal . This will help make the separation of the root sections prosperous . depend for rude sectionalization within the root ball and use your hands or a sharp gardening tool to carve up them .
Can you divide overgrown hydrangea ?
Happy gardening ! Dividing overgrown hydrangeas is a slap-up manner to keep them healthy and ensure that they continue to thrive in your garden . To divide a hydrangea plant , you ’ll need to start by selecting a healthy , ripe flora that has outgrow its current space .
How do you dispatch a Hydrangea industrial plant from the ground ?
softly lift the plant life from the dry land , ensuring that the entire etymon ball is intact . With the hydrangea plant lifted from the ground , cautiously throw off off any excess soil from the ancestor glob . This will help make the breakup of the root sections easier .
Do hydrangea need to be divided ?
In addition , it can be expensive to corrupt more plants if you need to add more hydrangeas to your blank . Fortunately , dividing hydrangeas is a gardening proficiency that ’s both economic and gratifying . To divide hydrangea , you’re able to cautiously dig around the industrial plant and gently separate innate divisions in the radical system by paw .
How do you replant a hydrangea ?
Once you have divided your hydrangea , you may replant each discussion section in a new localisation . Be sure to prefer a spot with well - drain soil and plenty of sunlight . dig out a hole that is slightly larger than the root ballock and place the plant in the hole . Backfill with soil , making sure to pack it down firmly around the antecedent .
