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Planting hydrangea

HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
in The potting shed
Morning garden pals. Need some advice on planting a hydrangea please. I'm in the market for hydrangea paniculata limelight, got some lovely specimens at my local nursery. Got my location sorted, just wondering if there are any particulars I need to know re the actual planting? Ta La's 😉
It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,963
    I have a few Vanille Fraise which are similar.
    They prefer some shade, but ok in sun most of the day.
    They don't like drying out at the roots, so incorporate plenty of organic matter if you can.
    I give mine a feed with blood, fish and bone around March and maybe again in June.
    I don't want mine to get huge (the ones in the pic are about 8 years old) so I prune back to a woody framework in the Spring. If you cut them right back almost to the ground they get much bigger.

    The flowers are lime green at first


    Then turn pure white

    They are now just beginning to turn pink

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,954
    edited July 2022
    In theory, the best time to plant is in Spring or Autumn which is supposedly when the soil will be moist. Looking at your location l'm guessing that you probably don't have a problem with moisture at the moment :)
    If you're sure re the location for planting,then the main thing is preparation. Have a look at this which includes a video of Monty giving advice on planting hydrangeas. 
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-hydrangeas/

  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    They're lovely @Pete.8, I've got a bit of a thing for the paniculata types.
    Thanks @AnniD, nope, no problem with moisture here, especially as we're on clay as well! Think we've had a bit more raining n than most, but still been exceptionally dry this year. 
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 2,790
    I planted one last autumn @Heartinthedirt and it's just starting to make a statement now!  I'm not far from you but have free draining sandy soil so have been watering regularly to help the roots get established.  I agree with you, they are lovely plants, especially at this time of year, supplying interest and colour when a lot of other plants are flagging!  I'd get off to that nursey now and pick the best one!  You can see that the flowers on mine are still at the lime green stage:




    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,614
    Jealous,ours are really suffering at the moment (SE UK)
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