A good rule of thumb is to calculate one and a half times the estimated maximum width of your Hydrangea and plant it at least that far from your house. And as always, you should take sun exposure into account.
Many people plant hydrangeas in beds next to their homes or fences. This is because hydrangeas love the warm morning sun, but they dislike the heat of the afternoon. The best place to plant hydrangeas is in a sheltered location with sunny mornings and shady afternoons.
One of the easiest types of hydrangeas you can grow along your home's foundation is a panicle hydrangea. Because their size ranges greatly, you'll want to be sure to read the label carefully when choosing which is the best fit.
East facing location is BEST for growing hydrangeas.
East-facing locations receive morning sunlight, which is ideal for hydrangeas. The intensity of the morning sun is typically milder compared to the harsher afternoon sun.
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.
A potted hydrangea can be planted in the ground at any time of the year. However, spring or fall are the best times. Wait until the frosts are over in spring, or plant in early fall when the soil will still be warm and before the frosts.
All hydrangeas benefit from some shade
Most species like a bit of sun, but usually morning or midday light is best. Hot afternoon sun can cause scorching of leaves and reduced size of blooms. Hydrangeas planted in full shade will often have bigger leaves, blooms, and overall size.
The north side receives morning sunlight and is great for most varieties. I would consider the north side the second best place to plant hydrangeas. The north side gets good morning sunlight. This is not always the case, of course.
Space hydrangeas anywhere from 3 to 10 feet apart, depending on the type. Always space plants based on their expected size at maturity! Gently remove the hydrangea from its container and inspect the root ball, snipping off any dead or rotting parts and teasing free the roots if the plant is especially root bound.
With proper timing and basic propagation techniques, you can grow new hydrangeas from simple stem cuttings. Just follow these steps to multiply your hydrangeas and their breathtaking blooms: Time hydrangea cuttings for optimal results. Gather your tools before you start.
E.g.: Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet away from a 6-foot shrub.
Hydrangea should be planted away from the main roots of the tree. To be safe, it is best to plant your hydrangeas out of reach of the tree's main roots. Hydrangeas (with the exception of Hydrangea paniculata which prefers full sun) do best in partial shade with morning sun for about four to six hours.
Water your plants as soon as you get them home, saturating the soil in the pot. Plot out the placement before planting. Most French hydrangeas can be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart, but check the tag to see how wide your selection will grow. Dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the pot but the same depth.
You want to make sure they are far enough from the property line, fence, building or road when you plant them. A Little Lime Hydrangea grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, therefore it might grow two and half feet wide from center in any direction. We planted our hedge exactly two and half feet off of the property line.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Blooms Nutrition
This is an all-purpose blossom booster that's suitable for use on a wide variety of perennial and annual blooming plants, including hydrangeas. It provides various minerals, including copper, calcium, and iron, to supplement common nutrient deficiencies.
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.
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.
Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon.
Watering Newly Planted Hydrangeas
You do not want to plant them in an area that has standing water, especially after rainfall. Hydrangeas in the ground should be watered at least 3 times a week when planted to help establish a strong root system. They have shallow roots so mulch is an absolute must!
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.
Front Yard Garden Idea With Hydrangeas, Loropetalum and Nandina. This garden design including Nandina, Loropetalum, and Hydrangea will turn any front yard into a modern garden. These flowers will be a great addition to any home and will be an attention-grabbing decoration.
If you're growing hydrangeas, use coffee grounds to affect their color. Coffee grounds add extra acidity to the soil around hydrangeas. On a chemical level, this increased acidity makes it easier for the plant to absorb naturally occurring aluminum in the dirt. The effect is pretty blue clusters of flowers.