When can you share?
You should preferably divide the hydrangea during the dormancy period, as you can shorten the shrub by a third at this time without weakening the plant too much. This measure also makes the hydrangea easier to transport, since annoying branches and a lot of weight have fallen victim to the scissors.
also read
- Split hydrangeas: this is how one hydrangea becomes two perennials
- Do hydrangeas thrive in a sunny spot?
- Easily multiply hydrangea "Annabelle" by dividing it
A good time to divide the hydrangea is therefore in autumn, after the hydrangea has shed its leaves. You can still divide the hydrangea in early spring. However, it will then use all its strength to form new roots and therefore not set any flowers in the year after the division.
Dig up hydrangea
Follow these steps:
- Create a ring-shaped trench around the plant. The diameter corresponds roughly to the crown.
- Dig up the root ball as extensively as possible.
- Carefully pry the hydrangea out of the bottom.
Divide the rhizome
Depending on the size of the root system, you can now divide the plant into two or three parts. In contrast to many other perennials and shrubs, this cannot be done with a spade or a digging fork. The hydrangea forms an extremely hard root center piece that can only be cut with a saw.
The saw should be very clean and, if possible, even disinfected so that the hydrangea roots are not damaged during this maintenance procedure. After sawing it up, it is advisable to dust the wound with a little charcoal. Wrap the rhizome tightly in burlap and transport the hydrangea to its new location.
Insertion of the hydrangea
The new planting hole must be significantly larger than the root system. When planting very large specimens, it is helpful to have a second person straighten the hydrangea while you fill the planting hole with soil. Tread the soil well and flush in the hydrangea.
Tips & Tricks
Hydrangeas are among the bog bed plants. It is therefore preferable to place the split hydrangea in special hydrangea soil. Alternatively, rhododendrons or azaleas substrates are suitable.
