Key Takeaways
- Hydrangeas are one of the most popular perennial garden shrubs with a variety of foliage and flower shapes.
- Hydrangeas can be grown in containers; however, for longevity, planting in the ground is best.
- If grown in pots, it is usually best to pick a dwarf variety in order to accommodate growing needs.
Hydrangeas’ foliage and large, long-lasting flowers make a statement in the garden and containers. They grow quickly, some up to two feet per growing season, and put on a show as a single plant or in a mass planting. With the right care, hydrangeas can be successfully grown in the garden or containers. But which is truly best?
Learn whether you should grow hydrangeas in pots or the ground.
Should You Grow Hydrangeas in Pots or in the Ground?
Whether you purchase a hydrangea from a garden center or propagate one, it is going to be in a container. And while you can leave the shrub in the container or transfer it to a larger pot, at some point it will need to be transplanted into the garden to keep it healthy; once they outgrow the original container, they should be placed in the ground.
Hydrangeas will have an easier time thriving when planted in the ground because it is easier to give them proper water and soil needs, plus their roots have more room to grow.
Hydrangeas are fast-growing shrubs that need full morning sun and protection from high afternoon temperatures. Soil should be kept moist; while they will adapt to most soil types, the pH of the soil impacts the flower color of some varieties. Proper timing when pruning is essential if you want your plant to rebloom.
Florist Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas found in flower shops are usually bigleaf hydrangeas forced into bloom out of season. These plants are intended to be enjoyed as an indoor or patio container plant and will not bloom again the first year. Most are not suitable for outdoor planting; you can try, but don’t expect many blooms for the first two to three years.
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When It’s Better to Grow Hydrangeas in Pots
There are times when growing a hydrangea in a pot is the best choice.
- No garden: If you live in an apartment or condo with no green space, choose a sunny window or patio and enjoy a container-grown hydrangea.
- Poor soil: There are just some times when the garden soil is rocky or lacking so many nutrients that getting a hydrangea to thrive may not be possible.
- Too much shade: Most varieties of hydrangeas will not thrive in full shade. If that’s your gardening challenge, place the shrub in a sunny location near a front entrance or patio.
- Extremely cold and windy winters: If you live in an area with harsh winters, a container-grown hydrangea is easy to move to a protected area to overwinter.
- Color control: If you like to experiment with pH levels to change the color of hydrangea blooms (alkaline for pink, acid for blue), it is easier to do in a container.
How to Choose the Right Hydrangea Variety for Pots
Choosing a dwarf variety will help you enjoy your container-grown hydrangea for more years. All varieties of hydrangeas can be planted directly in the garden.
- H. macrophylla)Endless Summer (: This dwarf pink or blue variety blooms all summer reaching 18-36 inches tall and wide, and is hardy in zones 4-9.
- Heart Throb (H. macrophylla): With dark red blooms, it’s hardy in USDA zones 5-9 reaching 3 feet tall and wide at maturity.
- Wee Bit Grumpy (H. macrophylla): pH determines whether this plant has blue, pink, red, or purple blooms. They reach a height of only 2 feet in zones 4-9.
- Sikes Dwarf (H.quercifolia): A petite oakleaf hydrangea hardy in zones 5-9, it reaches 2 to 3 feet in height with white blooms that change to pink as they mature.
- Bobo (H. paniculata): Features white, upright panicle blooms all summer. Good for zones 3-8, it reaches 3 feet in height.
- Invincibelle Wee White (H. arborescens): A mere 1 to 2.5 feet tall when mature, this smooth-leafed hydrangea blooms all summer and is hardy in zones 3-8.
Tips for Growing Hydrangeas
With regular watering, fertilization, and proper pruning, you can have beautiful hydrangeas all summer long.
In Pots
- Water frequently to keep the soil moist. Most pots require twice daily watering.
- Protect from direct sun during the hottest times of the day.
- Move pots to a sheltered location during freezing temperatures and periods of harsh winds.
- Fertilize regularly because nutrients get washed away while watering so frequently.
In the Ground
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy around hydrangeas. Mulch well to help the soil retain moisture.
- Provide some afternoon shade during the summer blooming period.
- Prune at the correct time for your type of hydrangea.
- Fertilize in the spring with a well-balanced fertilizer.
