Hydrangeas MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
Bobo ® panicle hydrangea . Photo by : Proven Winners
With their huge , billowy flush heads and long - lasting bloom , hydrangeas have become one of the most popular shrubs in the garden for vibrant summertime semblance . But you could also enjoy their floral beauty on a porch , patio , or balcony by simply popping them into container , alone or along with other plantings . Growing hydrangeas in gage rather than in a garden bed is also a great pick if you have limit quad or lack the right grunge or picture condition for hydrangea shrubs .
Thanks to the ontogenesis of newer cultivar , you do n’t have to look far to obtain compendious varieties of hydrangea that outfit comfortably into pots and planters , admit a number of midget selection that produce no tall than 2 or 3 feet . Although growing hydrangeas in containers is really no more unmanageable thangrowing hydrangea in the garden , you do ask to follow a few fundamental rules to keep them good for you and in efflorescence .
1. PICK THE RIGHT POT
The sizing and type of container you choose will often depend on whether you stand for to treat your hydrangea as an annual and keep it in the pot for just one originate time of year or as a perennial , in which case it will stay outdoors in the container season after time of year .
For irregular plantings , what the container is made of is not crucial as long as it holds soil and has drain pickle in the bottom to allow supererogatory weewee to drain out of the pot . For more lasting planting , it ’s best to buy an all - atmospheric condition corporation that wo n’t break in freezing temperature , peculiarly if you live in a insensate climate . That mean avoiding untreated holey containers made of the Great Compromiser , terracotta , or ceramic .
The size of the container is peculiarly important , since the plant life ’s roots will involve room to grow during its stay . mostly , a large pot mensurate at least 24 inch in diam is roomy enough to accommodate a small to midsized hydrangea for several years . A pot that size will be heavy , so regard enthrone in a rolling plant tea caddy to countenance for keen mobility .
" prefer the correct planter is key . For hydrangeas , I recommend at least a 32 " tall and broad planter with good drain . A soil mix of 50 % potting soil , 30 % fish soil , and 20 % compost will provide long - full term nutrients , though annual fertilizing is still essential to keep plant healthy . " — Samantha , Margaret Valley Landscaping .
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT VARIETY
If you design to uprise your potted hydrangea as a perennial and overwinter it outdoors , the first thing to consider is whether the plant is cold audacious in your part of the rural area . You will have great succeeder keep a potted hydrangea alive through winter if you pick out a smorgasbord that is two geographical zone hardier than yours . For example , if you live in zona 5 , a hydrangea hardy down to geographical zone 3 will have the best chance for selection .
You should also take care for a hydrangea bush that ’s the right size for the space you contrive to exhibit it in . Although you’re able to plant almost any hydrangea in a container , a stocky or midsize variety wo n’t ask a lot of pruning to uphold its configuration or need to be repot as frequently . For a permanent planting , the mature sizing of the hydrangea should be your guidebook . If you are using your hydrangea like an one-year , choose a plant that ’s already airless to the size that suit your needs , since it is unlikely to outgrow its pot in one season .
get word more about the varioustypes of hydrangea .
" I ’ve always love hydrangeas , but did n’t call back I could arise them without a yard . Turns out they thrive in containers — just bet for compact varieties like my favorite , Tiny Quick Fire ! " — Bethany , ChicagoGardener .
Little spry Fire ® panicle hydrangea . Photo by : Proven Winners
3. PLANT CORRECTLY
The first rule of planting hydrangeas in containers is to always use a expert - quality potting stain rather than average garden grease , which is prone to compression and can lead to misfortunate drainage ( seePotting Soil 101 ) . Using potting soil will also keep the container lighter , make it easier to move if you necessitate to .
To help prevent the soil from escaping through the drainage holes in the pot , line the bottom of the container first with a piece of fine interlock or a coffee tree filter before filling . Next , add enough potting soil to the bottom of the container so that when you place the hydrangea in the pot , the top of the rootball sits at least 2 inches below the rim of the container .
Remove your hydrangea from the nursery hatful and invest it in the center of the container , filling soil in around it and up to ( but not over ) the top bound of the rootball . Water thoroughly and then go over the grime level again . If the soil settles in areas and exposes the rootball , fill in the low spots . You may also want to post a level of organic mulch on the soil control surface to help preserve moisture and keep the roots of your shrub cool during the heating of summer .
4. PROVIDE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SUN
For optimum flowering , place your potted hydrangeas in a localization that receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight day by day . The amount of sun they can handle depends on thetype of hydrangeayou’re growing . Panicle hydrangea are the most sun patient of miscellany and will do well in 6 or more 60 minutes of direct sun , while some other hydrangea prefer more shaded area . In strong southern climates , all hydrangeas will benefit from afternoon shade to cut water loss and heat stress .
One of the heavy things about growing hydrangeas in containers is that you could place your pots in a spot that provides the amount of sun exposure your plant need . If your pots are rest on plant life caddy , you’re able to also move them around as call for to shelter them from unmediated afternoon sun .
5. WATER OFTEN
Soil in containers dries out much more cursorily than soil in the garden , so you should crack the wet level of your potted hydrangeas day by day to verify they are well hydrous . When the top column inch or so of potting mix experience dry to the touch , rob your industrial plant good until the water run out from the bottom of the pot . Drooping leaf is another mark that your hydrangea involve a drink . During red-hot , juiceless spells , you may need to water your works every day or even twice a day to avoid subjecting them to heat up focus .
If you be given to be forgetful about watering , see rise your hydrangeas in ego - tearing containers , such asAquaPots ® , to protract the fourth dimension between tearing .
6. FERTILIZE SPARINGLY
Container - produce hydrangeas do n’t need frequent fertilisation , but the timing of fertilizer software is important .
If your plant is newly potted and the stain already bear a deadening - going fertilizer , there ’s no need to provide additional applications of fertiliser during the growing time of year . For hydrangeas that you intend to keep as permanent planting , you will need to reapply an all - purpose flowering bush or rise plant food each year in other bounce . If you are rise a reblooming hydrangea , another Venus’s curse of fertilizer in previous leaping can be beneficial to keep your plant blossom smartly all summer . Be certain not to fecundate your plants in tardy summertime or downslope , since this can stir fresh growth late in the time of year and leave your plant vulnerable to frost damage .
Learn hydrangea shrubs .
Fairytrail Bride ® cascading hydrangea . pic by : Proven Winners
7. PRUNE AS NEEDED
To keep your potted hydrangeas from take too tall and bushy for their confined quarters , you may take to prune them on occasion to conserve the desired shape . But first , identify the type of hydrangea you ’re growing . Some plants flower on old wood and should be lop in later summertime after they land up blooming , while others bloom on new growth and should be rationalise in recent wintertime or former spring . Repeat blooming hydrangea varieties , which produce flower on both old and new wood , should only be prune to move out faded flower and dead and pathologic branches .
Learn and when to clip hydrangeas .
8. KNOW WHEN TO TRANSPLANT
While hydrangeas can grow successfully in a enceinte container for several years , at some degree they will need to be transplanted 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 starts to slow down or dillydally and bloom production is diminished . The roots in the container will also take up more distance , reduce the water holding capacity of the dirt .
If transplant your hydrangea into another pot , choose a container a couple of sizes bragging than the existing one and fill it with impertinent potting soil . Although you may transplant your hydrangea at any time of year , the best metre is during late fall or former spring , while the plants are dormant . Avoid transplanting your hydrangea during the heat of the summer , especially in warmer climate .
9. OVERWINTER OUTDOORS
Potted hydrangea should n’t be moved indoors during wintertime if you need them to blossom the accompany time of year because they need to go through a natural dormancy period . If your hydrangea are winter dauntless in your climate , they can often winter in space . However , they will commonly command some protection from coarse winds and bitter cold to prevent harm to the root .
One solution is to move the skunk to a spot sheltered from the steer but still exhibit to sun and rainwater . Other options admit sinking the pots in the ground to protect the root from the cold or wrap them in insulate blanket made of materials such as fleece , burlap or bubble wrap .
Keeping your potted hydrangeas hydrated in winter is also crucial . If the soil begins to dry out , give your industrial plant enough water system to keep the territory evenly moist but not waterlogged . The skilful time to water is during the day and when temperatures are above freezing . If the prognosis predicts airy or immobilise status , endeavor to water your flora beforehand .
Get more advice onprotecting and caring for hydrangeas during winter .
6 GREAT HYDRANGEAS FOR CONTAINERS
Photo by Proven Winners .
INVINCIBELLE WEE WHITE ®
Hydrangea arborescens
This midget version of the popular ‘ Annabelle ’ hydrangea is the perfect size for container and exceptionally intrepid , so it overwinter well in even the harshest climates . The long - go mophead flowers are a soft bloom garden pink when they emerge , gradually commute to pure white as the summertime progresses .
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WEE BIT GIDDY ®
Hydrangea macrophylla
The bold , magenta red flowers of this summary bigleaf hydrangea rebloom throughout the summertime to furnish a long time of year of brilliant gloss . When plant in acidic soil , the flush will transform into a deep , fat violet - red . Because this plant blooms off of old and unexampled growth , do n’t prune unless necessary so you wo n’t sacrifice any develop efflorescence .
FAIRYTRAIL BRIDE ®
Hydrangeax
A winner of the prestigious flora of the Year Award from the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 , this new cascading conformation of hydrangea looks lovely spilling over the sides of a container or even a hang basket . The frilly , white lacecap bloom of youth run along the total length of each tag fore , create a sensational flowered display .
LET ‘S terpsichore CAN DO ! ®
Hydrangea macrophyllaxserrata
This midsize bigleaf hydrangea have big lacecap flowerheads that trace the stems from top to bottom , instead of only at the tips like other bigleaf motley . A fast rebloomer , it also provides a nearly continuous display of bubblegum pink flowers ( or lilac-colored blue air in acid soils ) , keeping your container planting fresh and vibrant throughout the time of year .
bantam QUICK FIRE ®
Hydrangea paniculata
A gorgeous addition to containers as well as garden with limited space , this prolific bloomer is among the small of the panicle hydrangeas . The gravid billowy blooms , which virtually obscure the goodly mounds of dark-green leaf , bug out out unadulterated white and uprise shiny reddish - pink tones as they maturate , retaining their color for the ease of the time of year .
INVINCIBELLE GARNETTA ®
Full and lush garnet - colored domed flower heads , hold upright on sturdy stems , bloom for months on this repeat - flowering hydrangea , starting in midsummer . blossom dependably year after year , even in colder climates . For the potent shank and most abundant flowering , locate this flora in a spot that welcome at least of six hours of sun day by day .
See moredwarf hydrangeas
