Another example of a compact type of hydrangea that you could grow well in a pot is the Mountain hydrangea. [2] X Research source Note that hydrangeas can be planted in containers at any time of year. You can always ask an employee at the garden shop which compact species of hydrangeas they have available, since there are a wide variety of them.
If your chosen pot doesn’t have multiple drainage holes, you can always drill additional holes in the bottom using a power drill and the appropriate drill bit for the type of material the pot is made from. It doesn’t matter what material the pot is made out of.
For example, you could smash an old clay or ceramic pot you have sitting around and use the pieces of that. Alternatively, you could purchase a bag of gravel or river stones to put at the bottom of the pot. If you use gravel or stones, the layer just needs to be thick enough to cover the entire bottom of the pot.
You could also use a bagged compost mix made specifically for shrubs. A well-draining tropical soil is another great option. [6] X Expert Source Rachel GuffeyPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.
Alkaline soils are soils that have a high pH level, whereas acidic soils like ericaceous compost have low pH levels. Blue hydrangea flowers happen to get produced in soils with lower pH levels.
If the base of your hydrangea is more than 2 in (5. 1 cm) or so below the rim of the pot, add a little more soil underneath the root ball to raise it up. The goal is to keep it at about the same depth that it was growing at in the pot you purchased it in.
Leaving some space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot will allow you to water your hydrangea thoroughly without the water spilling over the sides and taking soil with it.
You can add a little more potting mix after you pack down the soil if the hydrangea feels loose or if the surface of the soil is uneven.
This will ensure your hydrangea has plenty of water while it gets established and help it settle into the new soil.
Partial sun is generally considered to be anywhere from 3-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. You may have to move potted hydrangeas around to shadier spots during the hotter summer months if the soil is drying out very quickly. [13] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U. K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source
If your finger comes out totally clean, the soil is dry. If it comes out with bits of wet dirt stuck to it, there is still moisture in the soil. Try not to let the soil dry out completely. [15] X Expert Source Rachel GuffeyPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.
If you ever notice that the leaves on your hydrangeas are starting to droop or wilt, this is another sign that it’s time to water them. As long as you water them whenever you see this, they’ll recover quickly and start looking bright and healthy again. Always remove any decorative wrapping before you start watering your hydrangeas. [18] X Expert Source Rachel GuffeyPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.
Pruning after your hydrangeas are done blooming maximizes new flower growth the next time it blooms. You can also cut back leaves to shape your hydrangeas by trimming branches off just above a leaf joint. Make sure not to remove more than a total of 1/3 of a hydrangea plant at a time when you’re pruning it. This includes both dead heading and trimming back leaves.
Indoor locations you could move hydrangeas to during the winter include a mudroom or sun room or even your garage. The plants don’t have to receive natural light during this time as they are dormant. If you live in a temperate climate where temperatures never or rarely dip below freezing, this isn’t necessary. Hydrangeas are hardy plants, so they can survive short periods of cold temperatures.
Indoor locations you could move hydrangeas to during the winter include a mudroom or sun room or even your garage. The plants don’t have to receive natural light during this time as they are dormant. If you live in a temperate climate where temperatures never or rarely dip below freezing, this isn’t necessary. Hydrangeas are hardy plants, so they can survive short periods of cold temperatures.
Don’t ever fertilize hydrangeas at the end of summer. This can cause spurts of new growth after the growing season, which can get damaged during the winter. Always stick to fertilizing right before or at the beginning of the growing season.
