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.
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.
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.
The Short Answer
The best location for most hydrangeas is the east side of your home, but this will depend on your growing location and the structures of the home and any trees or structures around that could block the sun.
Water regularly, and cover the root zone with an organic mulch to keep the soil moist at all times. Spacing varies with the type grown, but hydrangeas should usually be grown at least 5 feet (1.5m) apart.
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.
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.
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.
In Ground: Hydrangea are easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility.
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.
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.
Plant your hydrangeas where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade. This seems to be the combo they prefer, however they should still do well in an area that has partial shade or even full sun. While they don't require much shade, a little in the afternoon certainly helps.
Climbing Hydrangea is one of the best vines for clinging to brick or stone walls. It can be particularly effective when grown against building walls where it can easily attach and cling to the surface using its aerial rootlets are durable holdfasts. Cold and heat tolerant in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10.
Ficus trees, for example, have very aggressive root systems and even a small ficus tree planted close to a structure could cause foundation damage. Oaks and maples have massive root systems, but actually may cause less damage because their roots generally go around obstructions rather than through them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can use vinegar to lower the pH of your soil, but be aware that in order to achieve blue blooms, you will need both an acidic environment and aluminum ions. The acidic environment will also need to be a sustained over a period of time, which could be hard if rainwater is washing the vinegar away.
Though they are fast growing shrubs, it can take 2-4 years for hydrangeas to reach their full size. Some are faster to mature than others. Growing hydrangeas is simple, and they can thrive in just about any climate.
Leave adequate space between plants to allow airflow for happy plants (and happy gardeners). All of our plant pages have spacing recommendations under the “more information” section in the “how to grow” tab. Incrediball hydrangeas are recommended to be 3-5 feet apart, so you can plant them spaced 3 feet if you wish.
All they need is well-drained soil, some water and a little bit of shade during hot summer days. Find out even more about hydrangea care in our Complete Hydrangea Guide! Oakleaf varieties are the easiest type of hydrangeas for beginners to grow.
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.