How to Garden With Hydrangeas
- 1). Plant your hydrangea in a place that will get sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon (see Reference 1). Hydrangeas will not do well in complete shade, but certain varieties can thrive in full sun.
- 2). Consider your climate when choosing the type of hydrangea to plant. The panicle hydrangea grows in more sun than other types of hydrangeas, but plants grown in the warmer climates need more shade (see Reference 2). More frequent watering can help those plants getting full sun.
- 3). Decide how you want your hydrangea to work in your garden plan. They can be pruned into shape and grown as a specimen, used as a border, or planted as a hedge (see Reference 2).
- 4). Give your hydrangea space to reach its typical size of 4 feet by 4 feet (see Reference 1). However, some species can get much taller, such as the panicle hydrangea, which can get to be 10 to 15 feet tall (see Reference 2). Plan carefully for the type of hydrangea you have.
- 5). Plant the hydrangea in the late summer or fall in soil that is well-drained; add mulch to your soil if it is too heavy (see References 1 and 3). Transplant when it has lost all its leaves and has gone dormant, which is the the late fall or winter (see Reference 1).
- 6). Prune most plants in the winter or just after blooming, and aim to take about 1/3 of old growth (see Reference 2). Identify what type of hydrangea you have to be sure that you do not prune away potential blooms (see Reference 3).
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