How to Plant Hydrangea Shrubs for Large Beautiful Flowers

Hydrangea shrubs offer two kind of blooms, the hortensia blooms look like large pom-poms, and the lace caps have an open flower head.  Hydrangeas bloom throughout the summer and if left on the shrub in the fall, the blooms display an attractive dry flower. The shrub works well within a flowerbed or as a stand along bush. It tolerates sun and shade but grows best in partial shade. They can be grown in zones 6-9 and thrives in areas that grow magnolia trees.

Step 1

Decide on where to plant the shrub. The northwest corner of the house is an ideal place Hydrangeas because it usually offers a spot with a good mixture of sun and shade but the shrub will grow anywhere in your yard. It’s especially attractive planted in a row along a fence.

Step 2

Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the root ball. Loosen the dirt in the hole with a garden fork. The young roots don’t have to work as hard when the soil is loose. Mix in a 1 inch layer of mulch. Sprinkle a tablespoonful of time release fertilizer in hole and mix with soil. Wet the bottom of hole.

Step 3

Remove the Hydrangea from the container. Loosen the soil around the rootball and gently pull the small roots loose.  This allows the roots to emerge into the soil.

Step4

Set the Hydrangea shrub into the hole so the plant sets at the same level it did in the pot. Add soil as necessary to raise the plant to the proper level.

Step 5

Fill around plant with soil gently packing the soil around roots. Jiggle plant a little as you fill with soil to get out any air pockets. Water well and mulch with compost.

Buy healthy plants.

Fertilize in Spring.

Prune dead stems in Fall.

Comments (1)

Biznetwoman said:

	... Good advice and very helpful. I love Hydrangea's and their vibrant colors. Thanks! 5*
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June 14, 2010
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