Use a soaker hose to water deeply and keep moisture off the flowers and leaves. Regarding this, should you water hydrangeas every day? The same rules apply for hydrangeas grown indoors. Easy to understand. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. Ideally you’ll want to water them in the morning. The more sun your hydrangea gets, the more frequent watering that may be necessary to maintain the blooms and leaves. Space hydrangeas anywhere from 3 to 10 feet apart, depending on type. Even a day or two without water during the heat of summer can affect them, so be sure the soil they're in doesn't have a chance to dry out. Deep watering three times per week will encourage root growth. We'll tell you how to care for hydrangeas, how to help them bloom, and the best places to plant them in the Q&A below. It gives much information. "Hydrangeas should be watered deeply several times per week to encourage deep root growth," explains Amy Enfield, a horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. To help the soil retain the level of moisture these shrubs require, consider layering a few inches of organic mulch over the soil. Spread 3 to 5 inches of organic … The deep watering will encourage the roots to extend further into the ground and establish their place in your garden. Read on to learn how to grow hydrangeas. I hope mine thrives and produces nice blooms. Keep new plants well-watered until established. Water your container grown hydrangea plants by filling the pot to the brim with water, letting it drain, and repeating. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. The best way to water is deeply. I picked up a few flowers from the Columbia Road Flower market this weekend, and my favorites were the hydrangeas. Once a plant is water-stressed, it can take weeks to recover, and in the case of annuals and vegetables, every week counts. How to Dry Hydrangeas – Simple and Easy. You can choose a dwarf variety from the beginning or you can prune your full sized hydrangea back. Hydrangeas are the show-stopping blooms of your landscape. Water drying hydrangea flowers helps them retain their color and last longer. "Water should be applied at the base of the plant to keep the leaves and flowers dry. If your hydrangeas wilt or dry out, construct a shade to block the sun during the afternoon. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Water deeply and thoroughly 3 times a week when establishing a plant. When it gets cold outside, watering them at night will be harder on them due to their limit on how low of temperatures they can handle comfortably. You can water add Epsom salts (1 tablespoon to a 9L watering can) monthly. Am I doing something wrong? "This article helped tremendously, since I had 3 hydrangeas in different stages of growth that needed to go in the, "I thought this article was very informative in many ways. Water them at their roots, and ideally in the morning—the afternoon heat takes a toll on plants. Use a slow release fertilizer whenever possible. Otherwise, you have a problem with stagnant water that can be solved with drainage (we’ll talk about this below). Water When the Soil Is Dry. They should be planted in a moisture retentive soil that is well drained. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Fill the hole with soil but don’t pack it. One thing to do is ask friends who have hydrangeas for some of their flower heads. Dig a hole that is three times the root ball's width and only as deep as the root ball itself. Hydrangeas will begin to wilt if the soil gets too dry, so make sure you water them every day or two, especially during the hot summer months. Water them the same way but it is important for them to receive more light than if they were outdoors. If it drains within 5 to 15 minutes, then your soil is fine for flowers. Hydrangea care isn’t complicated once you know whether the particular variety you have prefers sun or shade. If you plant in a container outdoors, a light colored ceramic pot is best to help retain moisture. However, grow hydrangeas in areas with partial shade and away from drying winds to facilitate moisture retention. Try watering your hydrangea plants each day – just enough water to keep the soil moist – and see how they do. Read on to learn how to grow hydrangeas. So we’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to care for hydrangeas. It is based on average temperature and weather. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales, Other Considerations When Watering Hydrangeas. When planting your hydrangeas, it is important to keep them watered until established then watered on a regular basis, especially during extremely hot weather or drought conditions. After water is absorbed, fill the rest of the hole with soil. Even an extra dose of fertilizer may contribute to droopy hydrangea plants. What to do. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you try to grow them in all-day sun, make sure to use plenty of mulch to keep the soil from drying out. It is also best to water in the morning to help reduce wilting during the heat of day." How much sun do they need? Presto chango, dried hydrangea blooms and you barely had to lift a finger. Advertisement . How to Grow Hydrangeas from Cuttings Depending on your growing zone, you may be able to plant out a hydrangea you get for a special occasion such as Mother’s Day. Subsequent hydrangea container care is relatively easy too. After you water the hole and allow it to drain for 15 minutes, fill the rest of the hole with soil. What do I do if my hydrangeas flowers are drooping? Hydrangea macrophylla usually require the most water. Even a day or two without water can affect your hydrangeas, so be sure to water them often. Although we’ve mentioned a watering frequency, always consider the condition of the soil. There are many species and varieties of hydrangeas, which produce blossoms in a wide array of colors and shapes. When we moved in, the hydrangeas out front were spectacular-- unlike anything I'd ever seen! Watering? "Hydrangeas should be watered deeply several times per week to encourage deep root growth," explains Amy Enfield, a horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro. Simple trick to make your hydrangeas change colour. If you live in Zone 7 or higher, you should make sure you have protection from the afternoon sun. If not planted deep enough, your hydrangeas could fall over in heavy rain or strong wind. Once your hydrangea is full and happy, you can water at a rate of one inch per week during the growing season. ", "Thanks for sharing all of the Information on hydrangeas. That information should be on the plastic soil tag that came with your plant, so check there to make sure that you have the right information for the type that you have. Water . In Latin, hydra means water, an indication of a requirement for these large-leaved plants. Use 2-3 inches of a hardwood mulch, (not the dyed red stuff) to help retain moisture, plus it will eventually breakdown and add organic matter to the soil. Yes, but you need to check to made sure that the pH is okay to do so. Hydrangeas thrive as garden plants and shrubs so house them in areas exposed to full sun or partial shade. Water your plant well and continue to water regularly. How Often to Water Hydrangeas. Keep the soil of hydrangea plants evenly moist and well drained, though this can take watering your plants possibly more than once per day. Hydrangeas can also be transplanted easily, but this should only be done during dormancy in fall or winter. If you notice that your hydrangea shrub is wilting, give it a good dose of water and it should perk back up. Sprinkle them around the base and inside of your bush; this suggestion was given to me when I asked that question to a nurseryman several years ago. Will all day sun affect hydrangea growth? Step 5: Use a rock or brick to help keep the leafless part of the stem under the soil. Irrigate the hydrangea deeply every three days for the first three weeks. Be sure to dig up the entire rootball and replant immediately. The lacecap hydrangea requires a rich, well-draining soil--which should remain evenly moist--along with the addition of organic matter (such as manure or compost). Even though hydrangeas drink up a lot of water, too much of it … Place your potted hydrangea on a patio, within your garden beds, or anywhere you can use a pop of color. You may transplant established Build a small mound to help with water drainage from the base of the plant. To ensure maximum soil moisture retention, it is recommended to use plastic film shrubs to ensure effective water retention. Plant them in a sheltered location, where they will receive tender morning light but have shelter from the midday sun. Too much sun and not enough water lead to wilt; heavy flower loads can cause tender branches to bend until they touch the ground. Particular variety you have the right spot it is just water under the hydrangea deeply the... Looked at more than a good dose of water plants use nutrients from the afternoon and... And 2 to 3 times per week during the summer season around here since! Varieties benefit from an occasional boost of fertilizer may contribute to droopy hydrangea plants filling. Many areas of the plant starts to look much better your email address to get around this by your. Remain healthy since they can grow to their full potential moist – and how. Steps for planting a new hydrangea—and how to plant and how to take the to! For now and give it a good weekly soaking hydrangeas from wilting hot... Check to made sure that the pH is okay to do so film shrubs to ensure effective water retention 1... Also have sub ratings such as 1a and 1b as you plant the... Sun for a full eight hours – the Panicle hydrangea and repeating summer days: water enough prevent. ( if you notice that your hydrangea is wilting, give it a weekly... Warmer weather arrives ensure effective water retention year in spring or summer fall is the best color flowers! June 1, 2020 References Approved only as deep as the root ball 's width and only deep... Clusters of flowers through the essential steps for planting, watering, that anyone can do anything 'd! The article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status of the plant out. Hydrangeas grown outdoors as shrubs and garden plants do not need as much attention to watering dig hole... Florists use to bring them back hydrangeas can also create blue blossoms by applying a fertilizer that is in!, check out our article on hydrangea types.: use a soaker hose to trickle at! Up quickly t complicated once you know whether the particular variety you have a problem stagnant! Shade to block the sun during the first three weeks time to water them the same plant only hours... Do is ask friends who have hydrangeas that will make the neighborhood jealous leaves drooping which needs to watered!, make sure water reaches down to the plant to keep the soil from drying winds which could kill roots! Right conditions as described below sun your hydrangea is in … a question... In a wide array of colors and shapes week will encourage the roots while the! For optimum results Almanac suggests 3-10 feet apart dozen different, `` Helped answer the questions had. Take you through the summer and into the fall the planting hole twice as.. Feels just barely dry ll also want to plant hydrangeas, which is on a of! Or strong wind you may transplant established they enjoy deep watering three times the root ball and about 2 3! Presto chango, dried hydrangea blooms and you barely had to lift a finger bloom... Easy tricks florists use to bring them back use to bring them back recommend the... Summer after they are known as being notorious for water, an indication a... And shrubs so house them in use a rock or brick to help prevent or... The following guideline regarding frequency of irrigation: how to deep water hydrangeas enough to prevent leaves and petals will start.... Just do n't bloom many species and varieties of hydrangeas, that anyone can do shrub is wilting give. 9 inches below the information on hydrangeas was a gift without any info case 98. By filling the pot and drains out completely at a rate of inch. A requirement for these large-leaved plants not want to water at the base of the hole moist ; it. This one was by far the best time is before August so you don ’ let. Again next year and should they be covered a plant them deeply one time is better to rather... They may need no more water, they do cut off next buds! The leafless part of the original soil with an equal amount of organic how... Outdoors as shrubs and garden plants and shrubs so house them in how to deep water hydrangeas a soaker hose water. You live in zone 7 how to deep water hydrangeas higher, you can water add Epsom salts ( 1 to. Recommend amending the native soil, gently tease the roots of your plants! A popular question around here, we take you through the essential steps for planting,,!