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How To Transplant Mature Hydrangea

Transplant Hydrangeas in Fall Transplant at the right time. Plan to transplant before the ground freezes over. Find a new home. Pick a place for the hydrangea that doesn’t receive too much sun. Dig carefully. Plant right. Give them a drink. Watch closely. Mulch.

When can I transplant a large hydrangea?

In cooler climates, the best time for moving hydrangea bushes is November, when the bush is dormant but the ground is not yet frozen solid. In warmer climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, you can do your hydrangea transplanting between December and February.

How deep are mature hydrangea roots?

Hydrangea roots don’t usually extend deeper than six inches, but you want to be thorough, so dig down about eight inches just to be safe. Once you’ve made your cuts in a complete circle around the plant, start digging in toward the center and loosening up the soil.

Do hydrangeas go into shock when transplanted?

Transplant Shock Hydrangeas are easy to move, because while they are wide, their root systems are compact and not very deep. However, transplanting can shock a plant, causing it to wilt soon after the move. When uprooting the plant, dig as deeply as possible, to get as much of the root ball as you can.

Do hydrangea bushes have deep roots?

Back fill in the hole with the soil, tamp down the soil gently around the plant, and feed with some balanced fertilizer. Water deeply. Because hydrangeas have shallow root systems, mulch well to prevent them from drying out.

Can you move a mature hydrangea?

A: While it is possible to transplant a large hydrangea plant, it will be very heavy, so plan to get help. Be sure to dig up as much of the hydrangea root ball as possible. The new planting site should be able to accommodate the mature, unpruned size of the plant. Select a site with well-drained soil.

Can you dig up and replant hydrangeas?

When digging a hydrangea to transplant, dig up as much of the rootball as possible. This will not only help the plant to survive, but it is the preferred location for hydrangeas, especially in the South. If you transplant while your hydrangeas are dormant (the best time), water them deeply one time.

How do you dig up old hydrangeas?

Using a spading shovel, dig a shovel-deep ring just outside of the leaf line of the plant at a 45-degree angle. Make only a single cut, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Keep the plant watered thoroughly the next few days so the roots have time to recover.

Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?

Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they’re in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.

How do you save a transplanted hydrangea?

Hydrangea Transplant Shock (9 Tips How To Reduce Damage) Don’t damage the root system. Shade hydrangea as much as possible. Remove all flowers. Don’t prune the hydrangea. Water the plant 1-3 times a week in dry weather. Mulch the plant. Apply rooting hormones. Mist the leaves.

When can I transplant hydrangeas?

The best time to transplant an already established hydrangea is after the bush has gone dormant in the autumn. So this means after the flowers have all died off and the leaves have dropped.

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.

How long do hydrangeas take to root?

Expect cuttings to begin to form roots in 2-3 weeks, depending on temperature (faster in warm weather) and humidity. Some cuttings root in as little as one week. If a tug on the cutting resists the pull, it is rooting.

Will hydrangeas grow back if cut down?

They are best pruned in fall or winter. Even if you cut canes back to ground level during dormancy, the shrubs will grow back and produce blooms in spring.

How do you transplant hydrangeas in the spring?

Transplant hydrangea bushes in the early spring while the stems area still bare of leaves and when new growth has not started yet. Remove the weeds from a new planting area with good-draining soil and protection form wind. Spread a 9-inch-layer of compost over the area and mix it well into the loosened soil.

Can hydrangea be divided?

If you don’t see any shoots or are getting pieces without roots, entire hydrangea plants can be dug and split into two or more pieces. Other times, you might need a fork or shovel to help divide the plant. Either way, once you have two pieces with roots attached to each, you now have two plants to replant.

Why is my hydrangea wilting after transplant?

The reason for hydrangeas wilting is because of a lack of moisture in the soil. Newly planted hydrangeas droop as a sign of stress from transplant shock. Provide shade for newly planted hydrangeas, water frequently and add mulch to help it recover from a wilting appearance.

Can you transplant hydrangeas in summer?

Can You Transplant Hydrangeas in Summer? You can also transplant hydrangeas in spring or summer, except when temperatures are too high in the summer or there’s a heatwave. Be advised that a hydrangea that’s in bloom may have it’s blooms fall off from transplant shock. Leaves and buds can also be affected.

How do you get rid of overgrown hydrangeas?

Try cutting the topgrowth back and painting the cut stems with a brush killer or an herbicide with triclopyr as the active ingredient. It may take several applications. Hydrangeas are not all that hard to just dig up and remove.