When should hydrangeas be planted and how should they be cared for?

The species Hydrangea macrophylla, from its common name hydrangea, is a superb floral shrub easily recognised by its superb lignified stems and small, colourful flowers ranging from white, pink, mauve or even blue. This plant flowers in summer from June to October. Very easy to care for, it is nevertheless crucial to know when to plant it and above all how to look after it so that it flowers optimally.

When should hydrangeas be planted?

Hortansias can be grown both in pots and in the ground. It is a splendid shrub that adapts to both types of planting. To plant your hydrangea in a garden, we advise you to wait until September, which is considered the ideal month for planting this wonderful shrub. During this period, the soil is still warm, making it much easier for the hydrangea to take root before the cold weather arrives. If you want to have a hydrangea in a pot, you can later transplant it!

How do you go about planting your hydrangea?

Two operations are necessary before proceeding to plant your hydrangea. You need to prepare the site where you are going to install it and then rehydrate the root ball where your shrub is rooted. Once you've followed our instructions, you can plant your hydrangea, after checking the size of the hole where you're going to place it. The hole needs to be slightly buried and the soil that will cover your shrub needs to be well compacted and watered. As well as compost, you can add mulch to help retain moisture. Hydrangeas, like all flowering shrubs, need to be meticulously planted to produce flowers worthy of the name! You'll need special tools. If you're new to gardening, we'll be happy to guide you in your choice of permaculture tools.

To prepare the spot where you are going to plant your hydrangea, you will need a spade or shovel with which you will open up a space larger than the volume of the root ball where your hydrangea has taken root. Then mix the soil you've removed by opening the soil with compost. This will help the hydrangea's existing roots to penetrate your garden soil more easily. As for rehydrating the root ball, this action allows the roots to benefit from extra water once planted in dry soil. To do this, dip the root ball with your hydrangea in a bucket of water and leave it to soak for a few minutes. When you remove your plant from the bucket, you should let it drain and check carefully that the roots have not become tangled together.

How to protect your hydrangeas during winter

Winter can be a harsh and restrictive time for some shrubs, including hydrangeas in particular. Although they fall into the category of floral shrubs less impacted by the winter season, it's still vital to protect them properly as soon as the cold arrives. For example, you can cover your hydrangeas planted in the ground with winter fleece to keep them sheltered over winter. If you've planted a hydrangea in a pot, it's still best to bring it indoors to protect it from frost. Make sure you place the pot in a cool, light-filled room!

What are the care tips for hydrangeas?

This pretty summer flower is a plant that has difficulty withstanding high heat. For beautiful flowering, it is important to plant them in a corner of your garden that is preferably semi-shaded. We recommend planting your hydrangeas in autumn in native soil mixed with heather. The hydrangea is a shrub that particularly likes chalky, acidic or neutral soil. It should also be remembered that this flower hates drought associated with extreme heat.

If your hydrangea is potted, you can find the right soil for planting in specialist shops. Otherwise you can opt for a mixture of soil, peat and compost. You can even make your own compost! You'll need to make sure that your plants are watered according to their needs. And don't forget to remove any wilted flowers as you go along. To help your hydrangeas grow properly, remember to prune them every year. On our website, we provide advice with articles and videos on how to get your permaculture garden or vegetable patch off to a good start.