When to plant out.

Brickman0430

I have two year old hydrangeas, grown from cuttings in various pots, and I would like to plant them out into a couple of places I have prepared, obviously  it’s a bit warm to plant them at the moment , but when would be the best time for them? Autumn or next spring? Also, as four or five of them are flowering beautifully, should I cut the flower heads off when I plant them? So more energy goes into the roots. 

Fairygirl

Anything in a pot can be planted at any time - except in frosts or waterlogged soil. 

If they were mine, I'd plant them now, but if you're worried about keeping them watered, you can wait another month or so, as it's easy to establish them at that point,  although it's also much  easier to keep them moist in the ground than in a pot.   

Yes - it can be a good idea to remove the flower heads, as there's plenty of time for them to harden up before more severe weather.

AnniD

Personally l would plant in the Autumn while soil is warm.
As for the flower heads, the usual advice is to leave them on until late Spring, but as that one is tucked away a bit lower down, l would remove it 

Brickman0430

Thank you Fairygirl, I think I might plant them over the weekend. 

punkdoc

I think it all depends on how much care you can give them.
Many experts now say that August is an excellent time to plant out, but only if you can keep up with the necessary watering.

bédé

Where are you?  In Surrey we get late frosts when the sap is rising..  I keep cuttings for 3 years in pots and overwintr close to the house or in a cold greenhouse.  I place the pots amogst earlier flowers for late colour.

If the current plants are growing in peat-free compost, possibly coir, it is very difficult to rewet once dry.  Esablishing them in the ground needs constant attentiom for a long time.

Fairygirl

Interesting @punkdoc. It's certainly autumnal enough here in August [as you no doubt are aware  ] but it would generally be a lot easier to water in the ground than in a pot, unless the ground's very light and sandy. 
Clay pots soak up a lot of moisture from the soil too @Brickman0430, so it can be more difficult  for them to retain moisture in dry weather than in plastic pots.
I meant to say - that plant looks very healthy. Nice job 

CostumedVole

I grow far too many hydrangea cuttings, because I like an easy fix and they never fail. They always live outdoors all year round from infancy, either in pots, which is their usual habitat, or the ground if I have a space. None have perished. They are tough as old boots, as long as they have plenty of water. I leave the flowers on until they look a mess. It doesn't seem to affect their roots in any way that I have noticed, so I wouldn't overthink it.