Do hydrangeas grow better in pots or in the ground?

Author: Lane Haley Jr.  |  Last update: Thursday, October 12, 2023

Hydrangeas grow well in gardens, but can also grow in pots. They need well draining soil that has a slightly acidic pH. If these are not the conditions in your garden, I urge you to try planting a hydrangea in a container.

Should hydrangeas be in pots or ground?

Hydrangeas grown in the ground or in containers require 3 basic things; well-drained soil, the proper amount of sunlight and lots of moisture. Growing hydrangeas in pots is a great option for people who are limited in space, or would like to create a beautiful new look in their garden.

Do hydrangeas do well in pots?

Hydrangeas Are Great Container Plants

Potted hydrangeas are great alternatives if you only have areas where they are unlikely to grow well in the garden due to extreme cold or heat. Hydrangeas generally grow in USDA Zones 3-9, but in either extreme, they are unlikely to do very well. That's where containers come in.

Where is the best place to plant a hydrangea?

Where to plant hydrangeas. Hydrangeas do best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade – not too sunny and not too shady. Avoid south-facing positions, especially if the soil is very dry. For a very shaded spot, such as a north-facing wall, grow the climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp.

Do hydrangeas do better in the ground?

The good news is that they are easy to grow, both in pots and in the open ground. All they need is the right situation, plenty of water in dry weather and occasional feeding with the right fertiliser; one that is formulated to bring out the best in them.

Hydrangeas in Pots - how to grow them and why are they not blooming?

Should hydrangeas be cut to the ground every year?

To rejuvenate the hydrangea, remove up to 1/3 of the older living stems down to the ground each summer. This will revitalize the plant. If necessary to control the size of the plant, cut back before late July to allow for buds to develop. Usually the plant will return immediately to its former size.

What month is best to plant hydrangeas?

Fall is the best season to plant hydrangeas, followed by early spring. The idea is to give the shrub plenty of time to establish a healthy root system before blooming. The best time of day to plant is early morning or late afternoon.

Can I put a potted hydrangea in the ground?

When planting hydrangeas, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the width of the container the hydrangea came in. Place the plant in the hole so that the root ball is at the same depth as it was in the original pot, then fill in the hole with the 50-50 soil mixture described above. Water well after planting.

What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?

East Side. The east side of the house is the best planting location, as it gets the morning and afternoon sun. This is the best side of the house for your hydrangeas, traditionally.

What is best hydrangea for front of house?

Top 10 Best Hydrangea Varieties from Proven Winners ®
  • Incrediball® H. ...
  • Fire Light ® Panicle hydrangea. ...
  • Bobo® H. ...
  • Pinky Winky® H. ...
  • Invincibelle® Spirit II H. ...
  • Little Quick Fire® H. ...
  • Tuff Stuff H. ...
  • LET'S DANCE Big Band® Reblooming hydrangea.

How long can hydrangeas live in pots?

The size of your container matters, since the plant's roots will need room to grow into during their stay. We've found that pots measuring at least 16-24” wide and deep will often accommodate a good-sized hydrangea nicely for a few years.

Will potted hydrangeas come back every year?

The hydrangea is a perennial flower that blooms from mid-summer to late fall. They come back year after year and require regular pruning and fertilization for best results. Hydrangeas can thrive in both full sun or partial shade.

Can you leave hydrangeas in pots over winter?

Hydrangeas are hardy, but if left in a pot over winter, it will be much colder than if left in the ground. The roots are much more vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles if the hydrangea is planted in a pot. Pots can be brought inside during the winter, and then brought back outside in the spring and summer.

Should you deadhead hydrangeas?

When you deadhead hydrangeas, you aren't harming the plants at all. Removing the spent blooms triggers flowering shrubs to stop producing seeds and instead put their energy toward root and foliage development. This makes plants stronger and healthier, so by deadheading, you'll be doing your hydrangeas a favor.

Do hydrangeas need a lot of water?

The hydrangea should be watered thoroughly at least 3 times a week. Always water the plant all the way around the container, not just in one place. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in water which will cause the roots to rot away.

Do potted hydrangeas bloom every year?

With special care, indoor hydrangeas can thrive annually. Once the flower heads start to turn brown, trim them off. If not bringing them outdoors, you will need to force a period of dormancy during fall and winter. Move the plant into an unheated room with temperatures around 45 F.

Do hydrangeas like morning or afternoon sun?

Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea. While they can stand the sun, these do just fine in partial shade, too. Plus, panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest hydrangeas.

Will coffee grounds turn hydrangeas blue?

It's best to start adding coffee grounds to the soil months before the blooming season begins, ideally in the late fall. You can repeat the process with your typical fertilizing schedule. With a little caffeine and a lot of patience, your hydrangeas should reward your efforts come spring with the boldest blue globes.

Can I just plant a hydrangea plant in the dirt?

In Ground: Hydrangea are easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility.

How long do hydrangeas last in the ground?

Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season.

Will vinegar turn hydrangeas blue?

There is one more trick up the apple cider vinegar sleeve: You can actually change the color of hydrangea flowers from pink to blue. Hydrangea flowers will be pink in alkaline soil, but change to blue in acidic soil. So, mix up some apple cider vinegar and water, and give all the acid-loving plants a treat.

How deep should hydrangeas be planted?

For best results when planting hydrangeas, follow these steps: Create a hole twice as wide as the plant's root system, and about six inches deeper than the plant's pot. Break up the soil a bit before you plant to help the roots easily establish themselves.

How do you keep hydrangeas blooming?

Keep good air space between the plants; don't crowd them together or against other plants. Don't give bigleaf hydrangeas too much love; if they're too comfortable (water, fertilizer, etc.), they may devote all their foliage to leaves instead of blooms.

What month do hydrangeas stop blooming?

As to when hydrangeas bloom, the simple answer is that a usually a hydrangea flowers from mid-spring through the late summer or early fall.

Should you water hydrangeas every day in summer?

Hydrangeas need more water than most garden plants and will begin to wilt quickly without it. To ensure that Hydrangeas thrive, water deeply two to three times a week in the summer. Be sure to water in the morning or evening so that water does not evaporate as quickly as it would during the heat of the day.

Previous article
Do gray walls go with brown cabinets?
Next article
What destroys dog urine smell?