How to Plant Hydrangeas in the Ground

Hydrangeas are a beautiful addition to any garden. With their large, colorful blooms, they can add a pop of color and life to any landscape. If you're thinking about planting hydrangeas in your garden, there are a few things you should know first. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about how to plant hydrangeas in the ground.

Soil Preparation

Before you even think about planting hydrangeas, you need to make sure you have the right kind of soil. Hydrangeas prefer soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. If your soil is too sandy or too heavy, you'll need to amend it before planting.

To amend your soil, you'll need to add compost, well-rotted manure, or peat moss. Mix your soil amendment of choice into the top 12 inches of soil. This will help improve drainage, increase fertility, and provide the hydrangea with the nutrients it needs to grow.

Choosing a Location

Once you've amended your soil, it's time to choose a location for your hydrangea. Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, so look for a spot in the garden that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. If you live in a cooler climate, your hydrangea can handle more sun, but in hotter climates, it needs more shade.

Planting

Now it's time to plant your hydrangea. Make a hole twice the diameter of the pot your hydrangea came in and just as deep. Gently remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.

Backfill the hole with soil and tamp it down gently with your hands. Water your hydrangea well and add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant. This will help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.

Care and Maintenance

Hydrangeas are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they do require consistent watering. Water your hydrangea deeply once a week, or more often if you live in a hotter, drier climate. Fertilize your hydrangea once a year, in the spring, with a slow-release fertilizer.

Pruning is also an important part of hydrangea care. The type of pruning you need to do depends on the type of hydrangea you have. If you have a mophead or lacecap hydrangea, you can prune it after it blooms in the summer. If you have a panicle hydrangea, you can prune it in the fall, before new growth begins.

Final Thoughts

Planting hydrangeas in the ground is a great way to add beauty and color to your garden. By preparing your soil, choosing the right location, and caring for your hydrangea properly, you can enjoy a stunning display of flowers year after year. Remember to water and prune your hydrangea regularly, and you'll be rewarded with a healthy, thriving plant.