It is always best to plant the potted hydrangea outdoors whenever possible. It should only be planted outdoors in early to mid summer as it needs time to acclimate to outdoor conditions before winter arrives.

Can florist hydrangeas be planted outside?

They will leaf out in the garage in March – don’t worry – just keep the soil damp but not swampy wet and put the plants outside once all danger of frost is past. They should come into flower in late-June or early July.

When should you plant hydrangeas outside?

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.

Can indoor potted hydrangea be planted outside?

Mophead hydrangeas are hardy and can be grown outdoors wherever the winter temperature stays above -15ºC (5ºF). However, potted hydrangeas sold as houseplants will have been produced in greenhouses and fed to encourage them to flower early, so they will need time to adjust to life outdoors before being planted out.

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor hydrangeas?

Outdoor grown hydrangeas tolerate light shade, but indoor plants need plenty of light (but not intense, direct sunlight). Water your potted hydrangea houseplant frequently when the plant is blooming but be careful not to overwater. … Hydrangea is happiest in a cool room with temperatures between 50- and 60-degrees F.

How do you care for a potted hydrangea outside?

Hydrangeas in the garden like full sun, but this dries out the soil in containers much too quickly. Place your hydrangeas in a spot that receives full sun in the morning and some shade in the afternoon to keep it from drying out. Move your hydrangea to a pot that is several inches (8 cm.)

How do you plant potted hydrangeas outside?

  1. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide.
  2. Set the plant in the hole and fill it half full with soil. Water. After water is absorbed, fill the rest of the hole with soil.
  3. Water thoroughly again.

What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?

No matter what part of the country you live in, the north-facing side of your home is largely without sunlight. Hydrangeas also thrive in wooded areas, so they do well when planted near small evergreens or woody shrubs.

Do potted hydrangeas rebloom?

If you were given a potted hydrangea as a gift, it was likely already in bloom when you received it. Many people discard their hydrangeas after the flowers initially fade, but with the proper care, the plant will bloom again.

How cold can potted hydrangeas tolerate?

If these are the species in your garden, you don’t have to worry about winter kill on hydrangea. They don’t need protection unless the temperature dips below negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 C.).

Article first time published on

Where do hydrangeas grow outside?

Hydrangeas need well-draining soil and are best planted in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Deep or constant shade is not suitable for hydrangeas, and neither is full sun. Pick a spot where your hydrangeas will be exposed to at least three to four hours of sun per day.

How far apart should you plant hydrangeas?

Some hydrangeas bloom up to six-feet-wide. Be sure to check the plant’s tag to see what its mature size will be before planting it. When planting hydrangea, “you want to ensure there is space for air flow,” McEnaney explains. To do so, plant hydrangeas at least two feet apart.

Do hydrangeas like coffee grounds?

If you’re growing hydrangeas, use coffee grounds to affect their color. Coffee grounds add extra acidity to the soil around hydrangeas. … Seedlings thrive off the nitrogen content in coffee, so give them a boost by making a natural fertilizer from the grounds.

What do I do with my potted hydrangea in the winter?

Potted Hydrangeas – Winter Protection The best hydrangea winter protection for potted plants is to bring them inside prior to the first frost. If they are too cumbersome to move, they can remain outside and be protected by covering the entire pot and plant.

Can you keep hydrangeas in the house?

Potted hydrangeas – often called florist hydrangeas – are easy to care for indoors, providing you keep the soil moist. Don’t let them dry out! You’ll find that those large leaves and big blooms make them thirsty plants. … There’s no quicker way to kill any indoor plant than letting its roots stand in water.

What can go wrong with hydrangeas?

  • Brown Spots on Hydrangea Leaves.
  • Hydrangea Leaves Turning Yellow.
  • Edges of Hydrangea Leaves Turning Brown.
  • Hydranea Rust.
  • Powdery Mildew on Hydrangea Leaves.

Is Miracle Gro good for hydrangeas?

All-purpose Miracle-Gro fertilizer is well suited for hydrangeas. Mix the Miracle-Gro fertilizer with water according to package instructions for the size of your hydrangea shrubs. Apply the Miracle-Gro fertilizer every other time you water, about every two to three weeks.

Why do potted hydrangeas wilt?

Hydrangeas require consistently moist soil to support their large leaves and flower clusters. They quickly begin to wilt in dry soil. … Soggy soil can result in root rot, which can also cause wilting, so avoid overwatering and empty the collected water from the drip tray after each irrigation.

Are hydrangeas better in pots or ground?

Pot grown hydrangeas can be planted at any time of year, in the open ground or in pots and containers using Vitax John Innes compost. … Add a handful or Vitax Hydrangea Feed to the soil, or compost if growing in a pot, when planting. This provides all the essential nutrients for healthy growth and beautiful blooms.

Can I plant 2 hydrangeas together?

You have to plant Bigleaf hydrangeas and Panicle hydrangeas 6-12 feet apart. In the case of Oakleaf hydrangeas, they need to be planted 6-8 feet apart. In general, hydrangeas should be planted apart at a distance equal to the width of one adult plant (for plants of the same size).

What is the hardiest hydrangea?

  • ‘Bombshell’ is a dwarf selection that grows three feet tall and four feet wide. …
  • ‘Grandiflora’ is sometimes called peegee hydrangea. …
  • ‘Limelight’ bears light lime-green flowers from midsummer to fall.

Will a hydrangea grow in shade?

Hydrangeas do best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade – not too sunny and not too shady. … However, the pH of the soil will change the colour of the flowers of some varieties. Some plants that usually offer pink flowers will appear blue if the soil is acidic.

Will hydrangeas survive frost?

Hydrangeas are frost resistant to a degree. Some hydrangeas will tolerate cold temperatures and frost better than others, but correctly prepping them for winter, will minimize the risk of any serious damage. Hydrangeas can bounce back from superficial winter damage, but not severe winter dehydration or root damage.

Should you cover hydrangeas for frost?

Whether or not hydrangeas need protection depends on how cold the winter temperatures drop. 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.

Will hydrangeas come back after frost?

Even though it can be a big setback, your Hydrangea can almost always recover from damage caused by cold and frost. To treat damaged Hydrangeas, wait until the temperature has warmed up and prune back the affected growth. Your Hydrangea may still bloom this year and should be back to usual growing habits next spring.

Can hydrangeas be potted?

Most potted, gift hydrangeas fail to thrive because they’re kept indoors too long. … But hydrangeas can be great potted plants, if you make good choices.

How many days do hydrangeas last?

For lasting arrangements (about two to three days for fresh cut flowers), take our advice and gather blooms in the morning. Pick ones that are open and colorful. Mature flowers with a slightly papery feel will hold up best. Immediately place the stems, cut at an angle, in a bucket of water.

How quickly do hydrangeas grow?

The plants will take two to three years to start flowering. Species hydrangeas can also be propagated from seed in spring.

How close to a fence can I plant a hydrangeas?

Planting hydrangeas in borders, for example, along a fence or by a structure, can help protect them from very strong winds. … Spacing hydrangea plants 3 to 10 feet apart is a good rule of thumb. Some hydrangea bush types grow to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, while some can grow to be 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide.

What should I plant in front of hydrangeas?

Shrubs To Plant With Hydrangeas Azaleas, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, loropetalum and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color. You can select your favorite blossom color since the azalea blooms will have faded before your hydrangea is flowering.

What do pink hydrangeas mean?

Pink hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt emotion. Blue hydrangeas symbolize frigidity and apology. White hydrangeas symbolize boasting or bragging. Purple hydrangeas symbolize a desire to deeply understand someone.