Planning and preparation
The optimal planting time for the hydrangea is autumn. Alternatively, you can design the hydrangea bed in spring. Since the freshly set hydrangeas are still a bit sensitive and could be damaged by late frosts, it is recommended to wait for the ice saints.
also read
- Bark mulch in the hydrangea bed
- Grow hydrangeas from cuttings yourself
- Which planting suits hydrangeas?
Location
Hydrangeas prefer partially shaded or shady locations. Since it is difficult to shade several plants in a bed in summer heat, we advise against a location in full sun for the hydrangea bed.
Plant spacing
Since hydrangeas can reach a large size and are reluctant to move, you should create the bed in a place where the hydrangea can spread. The older the plants get, the more beautiful and magnificent the hydrangea usually blooms. The following distances should not be exceeded:
- Farm hydrangeas: fifty centimeters
- Panicle hydrangeas: one meter
Soil condition
Hydrangeas prefer slightly acidic, well drained and nutrient-rich soil. These garden beauties, however, do not like calcareous soils. In addition, the substrate should be able to store water well, as the hydrangea is not only very thirsty in the hot summer months.
Often the topsoil does not meet these requirements. In this case, replace the soil with special hydrangea soil. Alternatively, you can also use bog, rhododendron or azalea soil.
Avoid waterlogging
Sometimes the deeper layers of the earth are compacted so that water can no longer run off properly. This creates waterlogging, to which the hydrangea reacts very sensitively. In this case, bring a drainage layer of coarse sand or gravel into the bed and then fill it with soil.
Inexpensive alternative to buying - self-reproduction
If you need a lot of perennials for the hydrangea bed, this can be quite expensive. Hydrangeas can easily be propagated by cuttings. With this method, you can not only use the plants for a uniform bed planting yourself, but also combine many different flower colors with each other. Due to the different flowering times and tones, such a planting looks extremely interesting.
Tips
A hydrangea bed in which you combine the hydrangea with other shade plants is extremely attractive. For example, lilies of the valley, hostas or ferns are well suited.
