Brown County University of Minnesota Master Gardener
Each year, lovely hydrangea bushes will reward you with gorgeous blossoms that will instantly transport you back to your happy youth. Who could forget the white hydrangeas with their snowball-sized blossoms. We would have been astounded by the size as kids. Growing hydrangeas is enjoyable since we are still amazed and amused by them as grownups. It is even simpler to take care of hydrangeas because they are fairly resilient and resistant to the majority of pests and illnesses. You are sure to find one that is perfect for you because there are so many different types.
Planting is best done in the spring and fall. Plant in the springtime when the risk of frost has passed. Place your hydrangea in a location where you won’t need to prune it. These shrubs have a robust growth rate, and they are naturally large and attractive. Your hydrangea shouldn’t be planted any deeper than it was when it was in the pot. Planting beneath trees should be avoided since the roots will fight for moisture and nutrients. For the first few years, give your hydrangea enough water to help the roots grow strong, but don’t let the water pool around the plants. Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser once a year, or apply 10-10-10 twice a year. Compost or commercial manure are both organic substitutes. By August, stop fertilising to allow your hydrangea to prepare for dormancy.
Though there are many different varieties of hydrangeas, the majority may be grown in some shade. They do need four hours of sunlight each day. However, a lot of hydrangeas dislike really hot weather, so try to place them where they can take advantage of some afternoon shade. Although hydrangeas can be planted in a variety of soil types, they normally need rich, wet soil that drains well. Before planting, amend the soil with compost to help loosen it. After planting hydrangeas, mulch can also be added.
When taking care of hydrangeas, water is crucial. At least once a week, especially in dry conditions, they enjoy deep watering. However, hydrangeas should only be transplanted in the fall or early spring when they are dormant. Make sure to remove the entire rootball before planting it again right away.
Hydrangeas come in a variety of varieties, and each may require somewhat different trimming and care. Before making a purchase, carefully review the plant tag for details, zone hardiness, when to trim, and whether it needs sun or shade so you can plant in the appropriate location.
Types of hydrangeas, sometimes known as hydrangeas:
Round, globular flower heads can be found on mopheads. The majority enjoy early sun and afternoon shade, but they avoid strong shade because it can result in subpar flowering. Along with white, lavender, and lilac, they also come in blue and pink. The flower heads of H. macrophylla normalis, which is also known as lace cap hydrangea and has the same fundamental growing needs as mopheads, are made up of considerably bigger sterile male flowers in the outer ring and tiny disk-shaped fertile flowers in the centre. Flower heads on lacecaps are loosely placed and flattened. This gives the garden a very different appearance. Because they generated flower buds on last year’s stems or the old stems, these hydrangeas were frequently challenging to coax to re-bloom in cold climes. The new stems formed during the season were unable to bear blooms if they suffered severe winter damage and died to the ground. Since then, new macrophylla varieties that bloom on both old and young stems have been introduced, changing this. Gardeners now have a chance to blossom even if stems are completely destroyed. Verify the growing zone on the label (some zone 4, but most are zone 5).
Smaller shrubs called H. serratas are a subspecies of macrophyllas. Shade them partially. H. arborescens, often known as smooth or wild hydrangea, makes a lovely addition to any garden. The most popular cultivar is “Annabelle,” which consistently produces large, white blooms. The Hydrangea paniculata species are among the most tolerant of urban environments and adaptable hydrangeas. These plants favour either full sun or partial shade, well-prepared, wet soil.
The University of Minnesota has identified the following cultivars as hardy in Minnesota. Although the University does not advocate any particular types, it does provide the following for you to take into account for your garden:
One of the most well-known names for hydrangeas is Annabelle. Annabelles, often referred to as Snowball hydrangeas or smooth hydrangeas, feature enormous, symmetrical blooms in the months of June and July. It can get up to 4-5 feet tall and 3-5 feet broad and is hardy to Zone 3. With creamy white flowers that are frequently more than 8 inches across, it is likely the most showy hydrangea in the garden. Rich, well-drained soil that is regularly moist is what Annabelle prefers. It thrives in some shade and tolerates a wide range of soil pH levels. If it is planted in full sun, make sure to water it enough to prevent the leaves from drooping. Each spring, just as the new buds start to appear on the lower stems, Annabelle needs to be cut back to within a foot or two of the ground since it blooms on new wood.
The first pink-flowering ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea is called ‘Invincibelle Spirit. From summer through fall, this plant produces a tonne of bright pink blossoms, and the colour is unaffected by the pH of the soil. It can reach heights of four to five feet.
Incrediball is an enhanced version of the tried-and-true “Annabelle.” The blossoms are enormous, measuring up to 12 inches in diameter, as their name suggests. The stems are also much more sturdy than those of “Annabelle,” allowing them to support the heavy flower heads and prevent them from drooping. Incrediball may reach heights of four to five feet.
The name “panicle hydrangea” also refers to Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’. PeeGee is a robust cultivar that can withstand Zone 3. In August and September, it blooms in a spectacular conical shape. They start out milky white and fade to a lovely bronze-pink that lasts well into the fall after a few weeks. The shrub will expand to a height and width of 8 to 10 feet in our environment. The ideal soil for PeeGee hydrangeas is loamy, evenly moist, and well-drained. They can thrive in both full sun and partial shade and are pH-adaptable. Any pruning should be done in the spring since they blossom on new wood. Because PeeGee hydrangeas are so resilient, dieback is rarely an issue.
Limelight hydrangea paniculata Limelight is hardy to Zone 4 and is related to PeeGee hydrangea. It varies from PeeGee by flowering later and having flowers that are a vivid lime green. With a height and width of 6 feet and 8 feet, it develops into a rounded shrub. Make sure to give it a lot of room to expand. Limelight thrives in both full sun and partial shade. It will offer bloom in the late summer and early fall. Limelight blooms develop on young wood, and early spring pruning is advised. It tolerates a wide variety of pH levels and does best on loamy, well-drained soil.
When should hydrangeas be planted?
Learning the fundamentals of how to plant hydrangeas can help you save time and money, just like with most other items in your garden. You’ll improve your chances of enjoying big, vibrant hydrangea flowers for years to come by picking the appropriate site, getting the soil just right, and planting correctly.
When should I plant hydrangeas?
The best time to grow hydrangeas is in the fall, followed by early spring. The goal is to provide the shrub lots of time to develop a strong root system before it blooms. Early in the day or late in the day are the ideal times to plant. The day’s cooler hours provide relief from heat exhaustion. Water new plants frequently until they get established.
Locations to plant hydrangeas
The first step is knowing where to grow hydrangea plants. Hydrangeas are frequently grown in beds adjacent to houses or fences. This is so because hydrangeas prefer the mild early sun to the hot afternoon sun. A protected area with sunny mornings and shaded afternoons is the ideal spot to plant hydrangeas. This is frequently found on the north or south side of a house. Avoid planting underneath trees since it could cause competition for nutrients and water. Flowers and leaves can both be destroyed by strong winds.
hydrangea-friendly soil
The soil needs to be rich in organic matter for hydrangeas to thrive. Drainage is important. Although hydrangeas prefer damp soil, they cannot stand standing water. Root rot can be brought on by wet, poorly draining soils. Your hydrangeas could pass away in a matter of weeks. Consider adding a lot of compost to your heavy soil before planting to increase the soil’s quality.
Methods for planting hydrangeas
Simply dig planting holes that are 2 feet wider than the root ball for planting hydrangeas. So that your plant lies level with or just higher than the surrounding soil, match the depth of the hole to the size of the root ball. You can improve water drainage away from the plant’s base by making a small mound.
The best way to grow hydrangeas
Simple propagation methods can multiply a single hydrangea into several more. The optimal time to layer bigleaf and panicle hydrangeas is in the early to mid-summer. You only need to:
- Close to your hydrangea plant, make a tiny trench.
- Bend a branch such that the middle of the branch meets the earth in the trench (six to 12 inches of branch should extend past the trench).
- Where the branch meets the trench soil, make scuff marks on the bark.
- After the trench is filled, cover it with a paver, brick, or stone.
- The branch can be transplanted to a different area once it has established its own root system over time.
Hydrangeas with smooth or oakleaf leaves produce new growth from underground stems. Simply separate the baby plant from the main plant by digging it up. After then, it can be moved to a new spot.
How late can you plant hydrangeas?
VERY IMPORTANT: Pick a spot where your hydrangea will be able to grow to its full size without being pruned. For hydrangeas of average size, aim for a height of at least 4 ft. X 4 ft. It is nearly impossible to keep hydrangeas clipped to a size that is smaller than what they ultimately want to grow.
Plant in a soil that drains properly! Add roughage, such pine bark mulch, to heavy soil (make sure it’s ground BARK, not ground WOOD).
Avoid planting seeds too deeply. Plant at the same depth at which the hydrangea was potted.
When a hydrangea has lost all of its leaves and gone dormant, transplant it (late fall or winter).
Can hydrangeas be planted in Minnesota?
The panicle hydrangea, also known as Hydrangea paniculata, is the most vibrant plant in the late-summer landscape. In Minnesota, we can grow it since it is one of the hardiest hydrangea species.
Can I currently plant hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas can be planted at any time, but spring and fall are the ideal seasons. They will require a lot of care to survive if you plant in the middle of the summer. Put and Grow. Once you’ve selected the right location (preferably one with soil that drains well), dig a hole that is twice as wide as the hydrangea’s container.
Where to plant hydrangeas:
- A location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. They’ll take more sun if you reside further north (possibly full sun all day).
- Think about the mature size and give it lots of room to expand.
- Pick a location with great drainage. If necessary, add compost to the soil.
- Plants won’t thrive if they are planted too close to a tree because of root competition and a lack of sunshine.
- Planting should not be done in open locations where strong winds could snap stems.
How to plant hydrangeas:
- By amending your soil with up to 15% organic matter and an all-purpose slow-release fertiliser, you may give your plant a good start (use half of what is recommended).
- Plant a little higher than you did while you were in the nursery container.
- In order to give the roots plenty of freedom to expand, the planting hole should be two to three times broader than the root ball.
- Before planting, gently untie the roots from their pots.
- Add the modified dirt back in and thoroughly water it.
- Planting in groups requires a minimum distance of 3 feet (more, if planting larger varieties).
Planting hydrangeas in pots:
- Put potting soil in a bag rather than garden dirt.
- Slow-release fertiliser should be added.
- For watering, leave 1 to 2 inches between the soil’s top and the pot’s rim.
- Make sure the pot includes space for the plant to grow and drainage holes.
Can hydrangeas be planted in February?
The optimal time to transplant hydrangeas is right after the autumn dormancy of the plants. This indicates that all of the flowers have withered away and that most or all of the leaves have fallen.
- The optimum time to move hydrangea shrubs in colder locations is in November, when the bushes are dormant but the ground is not completely frozen.
- You can transplant hydrangeas in warmer regions where the ground doesn’t freeze between December and February.
While these are the ideal times to move hydrangea bushes, you may actually do so at any time of the year as long as it is not the hottest part of the year.
Do hydrangeas like shade or the sun?
With the ideal balance of morning sun and afternoon shade, hydrangeas flourish. Even the sun-loving Hydrangea paniculata will thrive in some shade. Some hydrangea cultivars may survive complete shadow, though.
The oakleaf hydrangea, also known as hydrangea quercifolia, is a substantial species of hydrangea that may reach heights of up to eight feet. In a shade garden, this big bush makes a beautiful backdrop. The height will provide excellent midsummer seclusion. Oakleaf hydrangeas are summer bloomers with mostly white blooms, elegant oakleaf-shaped leaves, and lovely peeling bark.
Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris is another choice for full shade. This climbing species, which has lacy, white blossoms in the summer, can reach a height of 50 feet if it is given adequate support. The foliage is a rich shade of green and would look wonderful growing up a tree trunk or covering the face of a building. It would also look lovely covering the roof of a garden shed.
Full shade cultivars require the same upkeep as partial shade. In the deeper shade, it will be especially crucial to keep the plants free of leaf litter and with excellent airflow. Water your plant once a week after it has become established. Keep a watch on the leaves, and if you notice any drooping, especially during the hot summer months, water them right away. The importance of this increases in hotter regions.
These leaves’ unique shape would be a lovely complement to Hosta leaves. The white blossoms would contrast nicely with the lighter hues of your shady blooms and provide some brilliant brightness to your shaded locations.
Shade Varieties
There are a few different hydrangea cultivars that thrive in the shade. Some types can even thrive in zones 3 (which doesn’t warm up until later in the spring), which is one of the coldest growing regions. Let’s examine some of the best shade selections!
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow queen’
The movie “Snow queen” is stunning. The flowers are stunning, as they are with all hydrangeas. These rose blush-colored blossoms appear in the middle of summer. The foliage of this plant is my favourite component. The leaves begin the season in a very deep green, gradually changing to a deep reddish bronze colour, and finally finishing in that shade, offering a stunning splash of colour to your fall landscape.
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Alice’
With a height ranging between 12 and 15 feet, this Oakleaf Hydrangea is one among the biggest. In the summer, this plant blooms with incredibly deep cream-colored flowers. A woodland garden would be a truly lovely place for “Alice.” This cultivar would look especially beautiful if it were grown as a bordering hedge.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
‘Annabelle’ enjoys partial shade and has some of the largest flowers in the hydrangea family (12 inches wide!). These enormous blossoms can be supported all season long by the sturdy stalks. This shrub can grow up to five feet tall and five feet broad, so give it plenty of area to expand. These enormous, all-white blossoms bloom for a long time.
In a mass planting, as a specimen shrub, or as a foundation planting, “Annabelle” would look lovely. These bushes should still be included in your cutting garden. Imagine a bunch of flowers that large! Wow!