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Planting Hydrangea

sharon.prattsharon.pratt Posts: 7
in Plants
Hiya all, here's hoping someone can help me. I have just received the Hydrangea 'Runaway Bride' and am all ready to plant it up in the pot I also ordered but I'm not sure what compost I should be using. Is there a special compost I need or will any potting compost do?
Thank you
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,053
    just googled your plant. How lovely .
    Devon.
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    I have one if these planted up in a pot in ericaceous compost.  Hoping it flowers this year as it was only about 6 inches high when I got it last year. 
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    This is mine right now 


  • sharon.prattsharon.pratt Posts: 7
    So this hydrangea is best grown in ericaceous compost I take it. I've never grown hydrangeas before
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    My first time too :) 

    Thompson & Morgan where I got if from says this -

    'Hydrangeas prefers a position in shade or semi-shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Grow hydrangea plants in any rich fertile, moist soil. Improve the soil prior to planting by adding with plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost, ensuring that it is mixed in thoroughly and deeply. Alternatively, plant Hydrangea macrophylla in patio containers in ericaceous'

    This plant can even go in a hanging basket - https://mrplantgeek.com/2018/06/07/plants-in-focus-hydrangea-runaway-bride/
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,368
    edited March 2019
    Anything what is being planted permanently in a pot should be using soil based compost,  John innes no3 be best for your hydrangea mixing in some multipurpose  compost,  About 60 to 70% JInnes the rest compost are something similar it doesn't have to be exact .

    Ericaceous compost or alliumium feed - acidic soil will turn hydrangea blue - alkaline soil turn them pink . It not normally the case with white variety's they are just white .
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    Hmmm will be interesting if mine turns out blue … lol  I'll let you know.


  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,368
    I not sure if it work on all Hydrangea some may stay true to colour . I have slightly acidic to neutral soil PH here,  so my mophead Hydrangea starts off a really nice sky blue but fades to a mucky purple / blue colour 
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    I don't really mind so long as it flowers this year,  It is likely to need repotting at the end of the season anyway.

    The leaves were lovely colours in the autumn too.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,867
    That hydrangea was RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2018! A very good choice. I don't think it will turn blue or pink. Should remain white.
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
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