QA

Quick Answer: When To Transplant Hydrangea Bushes

Spring and fall are fine for planting hydrangea bushes; most sources I found recommend waiting for cooler weather and transplanting the bushes in late fall or very early spring while the plants are dormant but the soil is workable.

When can I dig up and transplant hydrangeas?

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.

Can you dig up and transplant 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.

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 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.

Can I move a hydrangea in May?

Can you move a mature hydrangea? Yes, you can, following the exact same directions as above but make sure that you have more than one person present because the more mature your hydrangea, the larger the root ball will be in there for the heavier it will be.

Can I transplant hydrangeas in April?

Spring and fall are fine for planting hydrangea bushes; most sources I found recommend waiting for cooler weather and transplanting the bushes in late fall or very early spring while the plants are dormant but the soil is workable. The soil should have a rich organic content that will retain moisture.

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.

Can hydrangeas grow in full shade?

These shrubs grow best in partial or full shade, with a little direct morning sun and a lot of indirect light, such as the filtered light found under a high-canopied leafy tree. Many varieties of hydrangea love this type of location.

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.

Should I cut off dead hydrangea blooms?

You should deadhead throughout the blooming season to keep your hydrangeas looking their beast and encourage new flower growth. However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place.

Why are my hydrangeas dying after planting?

The reason for a hydrangea dying is most often due to not enough moisture in the soil. Hydrangeas require the soil to be consistently moist and will droop or die because of drought. Hydrangeas can die due to frost damage, drought, transplant shock and because of too much sun.

Do hydrangeas like coffee grounds?

Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.

What should I plant in front of my hydrangea?

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.

Is afternoon sun OK for hydrangeas?

Light Requirements Hydrangeas grow best in morning sun. Direct sun in the afternoon can burn the large, soft leaves. For this reason, a location where the plant gets some sun in the morning and none the rest of the day is best, but late afternoon sun probably won’t hurt the hydrangea if it isn’t in direct sunlight.

How do you dig up a hydrangea bush?

Dig carefully. Use your shovel to make cuts around the hydrangea before actually digging it up. When pulling the plant up, remove with it as much of the rootball as possible. The rootball, dense with fibrous roots and soil, may be very heavy, so enlist help if you need it.

How deep do hydrangea roots go?

Most hydrangea plant roots remain in the top 6 inches of soil – you need to ensure that this topsoil layer remains damp, but not soggy.

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.

Can you transplant a hydrangea in the summer?

Therefore, you can transplant hydrangeas in summer if need be; however, it’s much less stressful on the plant to have it transplanted in the fall or in early spring.

What is the best soil for hydrangeas?

Because the hydrangeas require well-drained, humus-rich soil, amending your soil ensures excellent blooms and foliage as well as the general health of your plants. Loam and sandy-loam soils are ideal because of the amount of drainage. Clay soils, on the other hand, will hold too much water.

What is the best potting soil for hydrangeas?

Solid Gold Soil. Hydrangeas need well-draining soil to thrive, so select a high-quality, organic potting soil Bonus points if it has Myco-tone™ mycorrhizae, which uses 30 percent less water than other soils.