In the garden trade, hydrangeas are often sold in early spring as blooming heralds of spring. Plants that have been grown in pots can be transplanted into the garden well into autumn, as long as you keep a few basic things in mind.
You can plant your potted hydrangea any time from early spring to autumn
The choice of location
In its natural home, the hydrangea grows in the light shade of large trees. The offspring that thrive in our green areas also prefer semi-shady or shady locations. Choose a wind-protected place with plenty of room to grow, so that the beautiful umbels of flowers can fully develop.
Insert hydrangea
Before inserting, you should put the pot in a water bath for about ten minutes. This allows the root ball to soak up moisture and the hydrangea has a small water reserve at its new location.
Preparation of the planting pit
While the planter is in the water, dig a planting hole that is significantly larger than the diameter of the pot. As a result, you do not have to squeeze the fine roots of the hydrangea when inserting them and you can spread them out loosely in the planting pit.
The ideal floor
In regions with heavily compacted, loamy soil, a drainage layer of gravel or coarse-grained sand is recommended to avoid waterlogging. Since hydrangeas have very specific soil requirements, it is advisable to replace the excavated topsoil with special hydrangea or rhododendron soil.
Insert hydrangea
Place the hydrangea in the planting pit and fill it with soil. After planting, press down the soil well and wash it in so that all root fibers are well surrounded by soil. Except for red hydrangeas, you should use soft water (rainwater) for watering so that the hydrangea does not lose its original color.
Water sufficiently
Since the hydrangea needs a lot of water to thrive, the plant must be watered regularly in the first few weeks, depending on the weather.
tips
Gradually acclimate the hydrangea to the changing conditions in the garden. If possible, first place the plant in a sheltered spot on the balcony or terrace and after a few days in the flowerpot at the planned planting site. If the hydrangea has already gotten used to the open ground before planting it out, it roots particularly quickly and well.