Hydrangeas MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
Bobo ® panicle hydrangea . exposure by : Proven winner
With their Brobdingnagian , billowy flower head and long - lasting blooms , hydrangeas have become one of the most popular shrubs in the garden for vivacious summertime coloring material . But you could also relish their floral mantrap on a porch , patio , or balcony by simply popping them into container , alone or along with other plantings . Growing hydrangeas in stack rather than in a garden bed is also a capital alternative if you have restrict space or lack the good soil or exposure conditions for hydrangea shrub .
Thanks to the ontogenesis of newer cultivars , you do n’t have to front far to find compact varieties of hydrangeas that agree well into pots and planters , including a number of midget excerpt that grow no taller than 2 or 3 substructure . Although growing hydrangea in containers is really no more difficult thangrowing hydrangea in the garden , you do need to stick to a few key rules to keep them respectable and in bloom .
1. PICK THE RIGHT POT
The size and case of container you take will often depend on whether you designate to cover your hydrangea as an annual and keep it in the pot for just one grow season or as a perennial , in which case it will stay outdoors in the container season after time of year .
For temporary plantings , what the container is made of is not important as long as it holds soil and has drainage holes in the bottom to appropriate surplus water to drain out of the pot . For more permanent plantings , it ’s best to grease one’s palms an all - weather pot that wo n’t collapse in freezing temperature , especially if you live in a inhuman climate . That means avoiding untreated poriferous containers made of clay , terracotta , or ceramic .
The size of the container is particularly authoritative , since the plant ’s roots will need way to develop during its check . Generally , a tumid pot appraise at least 24 inch in diam is roomy enough to oblige a small to midsized hydrangea for several years . A pot that size of it will be heavy , so take investing in a rolling industrial plant tea caddy to allow for greater mobility .
" Choosing the right planter is central . For hydrangea , I recommend at least a 32 " magniloquent and wide plantation owner with good drainage . A soil mix of 50 % pot soil , 30 % Pisces grunge , and 20 % compost will provide long - full term nutrients , though yearly fertilizing is still all important to keep plants intelligent . " — Samantha , Margaret Valley Landscaping .
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT VARIETY
If you project to grow your potted hydrangea as a repeated and overwinter it outdoors , the first thing to consider is whether the plant is cold hardy in your part of the res publica . You will have groovy achiever keeping a potted hydrangea live through winter if you select a kind that is two geographical zone hardier than yours . For example , if you live in zona 5 , a hydrangea hardy down to zona 3 will have the best chance for survival .
You should also look for a hydrangea bush that ’s the right size for the blank space you plan to display it in . Although you could implant almost any hydrangea in a container , a compact or midsize variety wo n’t require a lot of pruning to maintain its shape or need to be repotted as ofttimes . For a lasting planting , the mature size of the hydrangea should be your guide . If you are using your hydrangea like an annual , select a plant that ’s already closemouthed to the size that suits your needs , since it is unbelievable to outgrow its potful in one season .
Learn more about the varioustypes of hydrangea .
" I ’ve always enjoy hydrangeas , but did n’t believe I could rise them without a yard . call on out they thrive in containers — just calculate for compact variety like my favourite , Tiny Quick Fire ! " — Bethany , ChicagoGardener .
small warm Fire ® panicle hydrangea . Photo by : Proven Winners
3. PLANT CORRECTLY
The first rule of implant hydrangeas in containers is to always use a good - quality potting territory rather than average garden soil , which is prostrate to compression and can lead to poor drainage ( seePotting Soil 101 ) . Using potting ground will also keep the container lighter , take a crap it easier to move if you require to .
To help prevent the grease from escape through the drain holes in the corporation , draw the bottom of the container first with a piece of fine mesh or a coffee filter before filling . Next , add enough pot soil to the bottom of the container so that when you localise the hydrangea in the mint , the top of the rootball sit at least 2 inches below the rim of the container .
Remove your hydrangea from the nursery tidy sum and place it in the center of the container , filling ground in around it and up to ( but not over ) the top bound of the rootball . Water thoroughly and then check the soil level again . If the land settles in areas and exposes the rootball , fill in the gloomy patch . You may also want to locate a stratum of organic mulch on the soil surface to help preserve moisture and keep the root of your shrub cool during the heat of summer .
4. PROVIDE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SUN
For optimum flowering , direct your potted hydrangea in a localization that have at least 4 to 6 hours of sun daily . The amount of sun they can manage depends on thetype of hydrangeayou’re grow . Panicle hydrangeas are the most Sunday resistant salmagundi and will do well in 6 or more hours of direct sunshine , while some other hydrangea favor more shaded orbit . In warmer southern climates , all hydrangeas will benefit from good afternoon shade to reduce H2O loss and heating stress .
One of the dandy thing about grow hydrangea in container is that you’re able to pose your passel in a fleck that provides the amount of sun exposure your flora requires . If your muckle are resting on works caddies , you may also move them around as need to shelter them from lineal afternoon sun .
5. WATER OFTEN
Soil in containers dry out out much more quickly than soil in the garden , so you should check the moisture degree of your potted hydrangea daily to check that they are well hydrated . When the top in or so of potting commixture experience dry to the hint , soak your plants good until the water drains from the bottom of the tidy sum . Drooping foliage is another signaling that your hydrangea necessitate a drink . During hot , dry spells , you may need to irrigate your plants every solar day or even twice a day to keep off subject them to heat tension .
If you incline to be forgetful about lachrymation , weigh growing your hydrangeas in self - tearing containers , such asAquaPots ® , to extend the time between waterings .
6. FERTILIZE SPARINGLY
Container - grown hydrangeas do n’t necessitate frequent fertilization , but the timing of fertiliser software is important .
If your plant life is newly pot and the territory already incorporate a boring - sack fertilizer , there ’s no pauperism to provide extra applications of fertiliser during the growing season . For hydrangea that you specify to keep as permanent plantings , you will need to reapply an all - intention flowering bush or rose fertilizer each year in early give . If you are grow a reblooming hydrangea , another dose of plant food in previous spring can be beneficial to keep your plant blooming vigorously all summer . Be certain not to fertilize your plant in tardy summer or fall , since this can cause new development late in the season and leave your plant vulnerable to frost damage .
find out hydrangea shrubs .
Fairytrail Bride ® cascade hydrangea . Photo by : Proven succeeder
7. PRUNE AS NEEDED
To keep your potted hydrangea from getting too tall and bushy for their confine quarters , you may need to lop them on occasion to maintain the desired shape . But first , discover the type of hydrangea you ’re growing . Some plants bloom on sometime forest and should be pruned in previous summer after they finish blooming , while others bloom on newfangled growing and should be pruned in late wintertime or early springiness . Repeat flower hydrangea varieties , which farm flowers on both old and unexampled wood , should only be pruned to take faded flowers and dead and diseased branches .
Learn and when to prune hydrangea .
8. KNOW WHEN TO TRANSPLANT
While hydrangea can grow successfully in a large container for several years , at some tip they will call for to be transplant into a larger container or into the garden if you need to keep them healthy . You ’ll know your hydrangea needs to be transplanted when its growth start to slow down or drag one’s feet and blossom product is diminished . The roots in the container will also take up more space , shorten the water holding capacity of the soil .
If transplanting your hydrangea into another mass , choose a container a duet of sizes bigger than the exist one and sate it with refreshful potting ground . Although you’re able to transplant your hydrangea at any time of class , the best time is during later fall or early spring , while the plants are dormant . void transplanting your hydrangeas during the heat of the summer , especially in warmer climates .
9. OVERWINTER OUTDOORS
Potted hydrangea should n’t be moved indoors during wintertime if you need them to bloom the pursue time of year because they call for to go through a natural quiescence menstruation . If your hydrangea are winter hardy in your climate , they can often overwinter in topographic point . However , they will usually require some protection from harsh tip and bitter cold to foreclose damage to the root .
One solution is to move the pots to a spot shelter from the wind but still disclose to sunshine and rainwater . Other options include sinking the pots in the primer coat to protect the roots from the cold or twine them in insulating blankets made of material such as fleece , burlap or bubble wrapper .
keep your potted hydrangeas hydrated in winter is also important . If the soil start to dry out out , give your plants enough piss to keep the territory evenly moist but not waterlogged . The good time to water is during the day and when temperatures are above freeze . If the prognosis predicts impractical or freeze stipulation , seek to water your flora beforehand .
Get more advice onprotecting and caring for hydrangeas during wintertime .
6 GREAT HYDRANGEAS FOR CONTAINERS
picture by Proven Winners .
INVINCIBELLE WEE WHITE ®
Hydrangea arborescens
This nanus edition of the popular ‘ Annabelle ’ hydrangea is the perfect sizing for containers and exceptionally sturdy , so it overwinters well in even the harshest climates . The long - lasting mophead flower are a easy blush pinko when they emerge , bit by bit vary to pure White River as the summer progresses .
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WEE BIT GIDDY ®
Hydrangea macrophylla
The sheer , magenta cherry-red heyday of this compact bigleaf hydrangea rebloom throughout the summer to provide a retentive season of brilliant color . When plant in acidic soil , the blooms will transform into a deep , rich violet - red . Because this plant blooms off of sometime and unexampled growing , do n’t prune unless necessary so you wo n’t sacrifice any developing flowers .
FAIRYTRAIL BRIDE ®
Hydrangeax
A success of the prestigious Plant of the Year Award from the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 , this new cascading signifier of hydrangea looks lovely spilling over the sides of a container or even a hanging basket . The frilly , white lacecap bloom run along the entire length of each trailing root word , creating a stunning flowered display .
LET ‘S saltation CAN DO ! ®
Hydrangea macrophyllaxserrata
This midsize bigleaf hydrangea features large lacecap flowerheads that trace the stem from top to bottom , instead of only at the tips like other bigleaf varieties . A quick rebloomer , it also provides a near continuous exhibit of bubblegum pinkish flowers ( or lavender blue in acidic soils ) , restrain your container plantings fresh and vibrant throughout the season .
TINY QUICK FIRE ®
Hydrangea paniculata
A gorgeous addition to containers as well as gardens with modified blank , this fertile boo-boo is among the smallest of the panicle hydrangeas . The large billowy blooming , which nearly obscure the tidy mound of green foliage , start up out consummate white and develop lustrous crimson - pinkish tone as they maturate , retaining their colour for the eternal sleep of the season .
INVINCIBELLE GARNETTA ®
Full and plushy garnet - gloss domed bloom heads , held upright on sturdy stems , bloom for months on this repeat - flowering hydrangea , lead off in midsummer . Blooms dependably year after year , even in colder climate . For the strong stem and most abundant inflorescence , situate this plant in a spot that receives at least of six hours of sunlight daily .
See moredwarf hydrangeas
