Hydrangeas are attractive garden plants that delight us with their magnificent and colorful blooms. They bloom every year from mid-June to the end of September and are great eye-catchers in the garden. Actually, hydrangeas can be seen in almost every outdoor area in the Mediterranean countries. There they are regarded as the most beautiful natural garden ornaments. However, these beauties are quite difficult to care for in our country so that they bloom properly. The cooler climate throughout Germany, the soil conditions and constant care are important factors on which the flowering of the hydrangea depends. There is a clever way for all fans of these garden flowers here, too, and it’s called caring for hydrangeas in pots. If you also want to introduce a Mediterranean flair to your front garden, entrance area or open veranda, then opt for beautiful hydrangeas in tubs! In today’s article we give you important care tips on how to care for hydrangeas in pots.
Potted pink hydrangeas add romance to your outdoor space.
Blue hydrangeas in a white planter will turn heads on the porch!
Caring for hydrangeas in pots: Different types of hydrangeas require different locations
Not only for millions of flower lovers around the world, but also for us in the Freshideen editorial team, the beautiful hydrangeas are among the most popular flowering shrubs in the garden. That is why we have dedicated numerous articles to these garden beauties. But today we want to focus on hydrangeas in pots and emphasize on their care. Because the different hydrangea species have different requirements in terms of location, flowering time and care. We now name the most popular hydrangea species that can also be cultivated in pots or tubs.
Farmhouse hydrangeas can be combined well in the tub with ferns and other green plants. They spice up every entrance area!
Put your hydrangeas in the pot in the limelight!
But great combinations with other plants are also possible in pots at home.
Undoubtedly the peasant hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) widespread in our country. It blooms all summer long and shows us its white, pink or blue flowers for months. These hydrangeas prefer moist, humus-rich soil and grow well in sunny to partially shaded places. The white lush flowers of panicle hydrangeae (Hydrangea paniculata) turn green or pink in autumn, depending on the variety. It prefers a sheltered location. the velvet hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera ssp. Sargentiana) stands out with its violet flowers and velvety, slightly hairy leaves. She doesn’t like strong sun and prefers to be in partial shade.
The different hydrangea species have different care requirements, even in pots!
The flowers of plate hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata or also known as Serrated Hydrangea) also have mock flowers that attract many butterflies and insects. The only type of hydrangea that can be grown in pots or tubs and that grows up walls and trellises is this climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris). It flowers in June and July and prefers sunny to partially shaded locations.
Yellow potted flowers and blue hydrangeas create an eye-catching color duo in front of the house entrance!
When should you plant hydrangeas in pots?
Late summer is the best time to plant hydrangeas in pots. Get a larger container and humus rich soil and get started! Take a root ball of your garden hydrangea and place it in a bucket of water for about 10 minutes. The goal is for the root ball to become soaked. Then plant it in the pot and fill it up to the brim with potting soil. Leave the hydrangea in the pot in a sunny to partially shaded spot for a week so that it takes root during this time. The good thing is that you can move the pot around if you notice the hydrangea isn’t feeling well and its leaves are starting to wilt. In summer you can continue to propagate the plant by cuttings.
The blue color of hydrangea flowers is due to an acidic soil, with a low pH below 5.
Hydrangeas can be propagated by cuttings in summer.
Important care tips for hydrangeas in pots
To make caring for these attractive flowering plants easier for you, we present an overview of the most important tips:
1) Water hydrangeas in the pot regularly
You have to water these beauties vigorously, because they love a lot of water. It is best to keep the soil moist without waterlogging. Incidentally, this can cause the roots to rot and therefore kill the entire potted plant. If the heat is persistent, the potted hydrangeas must be watered in the morning and in the evening. Hydrangeas have large green leaves through which a large amount of water evaporates during the day. That’s why you have to water it regularly. The plastic bottle trick can also help a lot on very hot days.
Regular watering is the be-all and end-all of proper flower care.
On hot summer days, water the hydrangeas in the pot twice, in the morning and in the evening.
2) When should you fertilize and cut the potted hydrangeas?
Only fertilize your potted hydrangeas before they bloom, that is, in May and June. During this period, they need additional nutrients to form beautiful flower spikes and umbels. Use the special fertilizer for hydrangeas or take a rhododendron fertilizer. It is also suitable for potted hydrangeas. Pruning hydrangeas in pots or tubs depends on their species. The panicle hydrangea, for example, can be cut back heavily in spring and will thank you with more lush flowers in summer. The peasant hydrangea, on the other hand, does not want to be pruned deeply. With this species, you only have to remove frozen or dead shoots in early spring. Only older hydrangeas should be cut back radically so that they rejuvenate.
Bring these flower boxes to a cool spot indoors for the winter!
3) Hibernation of hydrangeas in pots
As is well known, hydrangeas are hardy garden plants, they can also withstand sub-zero temperatures. If your beautiful potted plants are in a large pot (between 30 and 40 cm in diameter), then they can stay outside during the winter. However, ensure them good winter protection, for example cover the potting soil in the pot with a layer of brushwood. How to protect the plant from frost. Hydrangeas in smaller pots can overwinter in the conservatory or other cool location. Recommended temperatures in this case are between 3 and 5 degrees C.
Follow our care tips and you will have beautiful hydrangeas in the tub.
These hydrangeas in pots bring a Mediterranean flair to your outdoor area!
You can enjoy this magnificent bloom all summer long!
The more plants, the more beautiful your outdoor area will be!
Get inspiration for great flower arrangements with hydrangeas in pots!
Sources:
Southern Living
My beautiful garden
