When is the optimal planting time?
If possible, you should plant the hydrangea in autumn. Normally the soil is a bit wetter at this time of year than in spring or summer and the moisture-loving plant finds optimal conditions.
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Late spring is also a good time to plant the shrub. However, you should definitely wait for the ice saints so that no more frosts are to be expected.
Container plants can be used all year round. However, in the first few weeks and months you will then have to accept increased maintenance costs, as the hydrangea has to be watered regularly.
Which location does the hydrangea prefer?
The water shrub prefers sunny to partially shaded locations. In order for the hydrangea to develop many flowers, it should be exposed to the sun for about six hours a day. Make sure that the flowering shrub is not exposed to the blazing sun all day in the hot summer months, as the hydrangea evaporates a lot of moisture over its large leaf area and then leaves the flowers and leaves hanging.
Place the hydrangea in a more sheltered place so that the large flower balls are not torn apart by gusts of wind.
Which substrate does the flowering shrub prefer?
The hydrangea is wrongly considered to be demanding in terms of soil quality. Although the small shrub loves nutritious, deep, and slightly acidic soils, it thrives even in barren sandy soils with appropriate care. The hydrangea does not tolerate very dry locations and calcareous soil.
Humous or clay soils, on the other hand, are ideal, because these soils store moisture very well. In the case of clay soils, however, you should make sure that the soil is not too compacted. If Hydrangea does not find ideal soil in your garden, you can improve the subsoil with rhododendron soil, mature leaf compost or peat.
How is the hydrangea planted?
Dig out the planting hole about twice as large as the ball of the pot. This allows you to spread the roots in the planting hole without having to compress them. Loosen the surrounding soil well so that the plant can grow in quickly.
It is advisable to place the water bush in a container filled with water for a few minutes before planting. As a result, the root ball soaks up moisture and the plant can store sufficient water. Do not plant the hydrangea deeper than ground level so that the roots get enough air and develop quickly.
What distance to other plants should be kept?
The planting distance depends on which type of hydrangea you have chosen and whether hydrangea adorns the garden as a flowering hedge or an attractive solitary shrub. In general, a planting distance of at least 80 to 150 centimeters is recommended.
Can hydrangeas be replanted?
If the hydrangea has to move in the garden, you should move the plant if possible in autumn or alternatively in late spring. Hydrangeas form very deep roots with many fine root fibers that should not be damaged too much. Therefore, dig out the roots in a wide area around the plant in order to get the complete root ball as possible.
When transplanting, proceed in the same way as with newly purchased hydrangeas. Make sure, however, that the planting hole is large enough to hold the entire root ball so that the roots do not have to be squeezed into it.
Good and bad neighbors
Blooming hydrangea and rose bushes are a fantastic sight. Both plants get along very well and form harmonious plant communities. Hydrangea does not appreciate the direct proximity to lavender, which is often planted around the roses to drive away lice.
Hydrangeas with bamboo, grass and leafy plants, which also love the partial shade, form an attractive community. The hydrangea also feels at home in the vicinity of splendid sparrows, hostas or autumn anemones.
Can hydrangeas be propagated yourself?
Since the colorful flowers of the hydrangea are mostly only pseudo-flowers, propagation by seeds is often difficult for the layperson. It is easier to breed with cuttings, which is relatively easy.
To do this, cut off young shoots without buds from the flowering small shrubs in spring or early summer. You can root the sprouts either in pots with potting soil or in water. After about two weeks the first roots will form and the cuttings grown in the water glass can be transplanted into the ground.
Some hydrangea species form shoots on the sides that you can cut off and insert directly. The following applies to all young plants: In the first winter, the small plants should be brought into the house to overwinter in a frost-free place.
When does the hydrangea bloom?
The main flowering time of the hydrangea is from June to September. Depending on the species, it then bears spherical flower balls, flat umbels or inflorescences that look like elongated panicles.
Tips & Tricks
Soil conditions and location do not only play a role for good growth. If an originally pink hydrangea is planted in soil with a pH value between 4.0 and 4.5, the flower color changes and the hydrangea develops rich blue flowers.
