Hydrangeas can generally be planted all year round, although there are some seasons that are particularly suitable for planting.
Spring
If you plant your hydrangeas in spring, with a bit of luck you can enjoy the decorative flowers in the first year of planting. Hydrangeas planted in spring usually grow very quickly – provided the optimal conditions have been created. The basis is provided by planting at the right time, because although spring per se is recommended for planting, certain requirements should be met:
- Planting according to the Ice Saints
- Low probability of ground frost
- Temperatures above 13 degrees Celsius are ideal
Summer
Hydrangeas can be planted in summer, but this is not ideal. In summer, the heat causes additional problems for the plants, so that the already stressed plants suffer even more stress. If you still want to plant the plants in summer, you will also have to expect an increased amount of work. Because of the heat, the freshly planted hydrangeas need to be watered more frequently. You should also pay attention to the following when planting in the warm season:
- do not plant at midday
- Midday sun stresses plants even more
- Plant must never dry out
Autumn
Apart from spring, autumn is by far the best time to plant hydrangeas. This is due, on the one hand, to the pleasant temperatures and, on the other hand, to the moisture in the soil. These two factors represent the optimal conditions for the growth of hydrangeas, which is why autumn is also very suitable for planting. However, the day in autumn should also be chosen well so that the hydrangeas can grow well:
- no frost
- late summer/early autumn is ideal
Winter
Hydrangeas are not winter-proof, but can be easily overwintered with frost protection. However, the cold season is not suitable for planting the frost-sensitive plants, which is why it is not recommended.
Planting bare root specimens
While hydrangeas in containers can generally be planted all year round (except winter), a different guideline applies to bare-root specimens. Spring is only recommended to a limited extent for these plants, as the hydrangeas initially concentrate on root growth. If they were planted in spring, only sparse growth would be expected. However, planting them in autumn gives them the time they need to produce magnificent flowers the following year.
- plant before frost
- Place bare-rooted specimens in soil as quickly as possible
Note:
If it is not possible to plant bare-root hydrangeas immediately, their roots should be wrapped in a damp cloth and the plant itself should be stored in the shade.
Transplanting
Transplanting is stressful for plants, which hydrangeas do not tolerate well. It is therefore advisable to provide the plant with a location with optimal conditions and to avoid transplanting. If you still want to move the plant to a new location, you should preferably do this in autumn.
