HOW TO PLANT HYDRANGEAS IN POTS AND PLANTERS
I have always had a love affair with hydrangeas! I love their big moppy heads that bounce in the breeze and the way cut hydrangeas grace a table in stunning style! This year we planted them in big rectangular planters on the patio. They create a charming divider between the wrap-around porch and the patio. Our hydrangeas add such a pretty softness to all the hardscaping. Today let’s take a look at planting hydrangeas in containers.
Today is HOME STYLE SATURDAY.
My blogging pals and I are sharing the best of our archives. Make sure to check out the great post at the end of this post.
Let’s plant some hydrangeas!!!!
I’ve had such amazing results planting Endless Summer hydrangeas in the containers in the front of my home for several seasons so I thought I’d plant these beautiful blooms on the back patio!
And this year I’m embracing their pretty-in-pink color.
Notice the red stems? Striking!
Many hydrangeas can go from pink to blue (except white ones) by amending the ph acidity balance of the soil. Acidic soil will yield blue flowers and alkaline will produce pink.
You can buy products at your local garden center that will change the colors for you without a lot of extra work.
We planted two hydrangeas in each planter. Which turned out to be quite a bargain for a summer’s worth of gorgeous full blooms! Instead of planting annuals in your urns, pots or planters think about hydrangeas!
They were planted in the long containers with a potting soil mix and topped off with a thick of covering medium bark mulch. Then we gave them a soaking drink of water. How easy is that? Just don’t forget to mulch them in!
Our patio is the perfect place to plant hydrangeas. These hydrangeas get light morning sun and a little late afternoon sun. The image below shows our hydrangeas in the late afternoon.
It’s important to know …
- how much morning and afternoon sun hydrangeas in pots and planters will get in a day
- the type of hydrangeas you are planting
You need to match the amount of daily sun to the hydrangea. Some varieties can take more sun than others. I chose Endless Summer hydrangeas because I know they will do well on our patio and will continue to bloom all summer long!
I like the way the hydrangeas create a little hedge!
Hydrangeas get thirsty, especially when they are planted in containers. So they need to be watered enough to keep the soil just moist. They thrive best in cool, moist, well-drained soil. If you overwater them too much the leaves closest to the ground may start to turn yellow and the plant will wilt.
If you underwater a hydrangea they will let you know during the hottest part of the day as their flower heads will wilt. Reviving them with a good drink will help.
When you do water your hydrangeas make sure to give them a slow and deep soaking so their roots will grow strong and deep into the soil. But make sure the soil in the container is not waterlogged. It’s better to water them a few times a week deeply than giving them a spritz daily.
Hydrangeas are such showy plants and if given a little care will gift you with a beautiful planter full of blooms!
Now my back patio is THE place to rock the summer away in style!
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I have some hydrangeas (called hortensias in French) in pots for many years already and they still bloom faithfully.
Hydrangeas are everywhere here in Brittany, France. Good to see they are popular over in the U.S. too. I like the idea of popping them in a pot on the patio and will be giving it a try!
I have several varieties of Hydrangeas planted around our property but have not tried them in containers. Thought of purchasing some large white wooden containers similar to your dark ones, for the front porch .Will go well with white rocking chairs. Will give your ideas for planting a try. The area gets some sun in the morning but shade later during the hottest part of the day. Will let you know how it works out.Have a wonderful weekend.
Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers!!! And yours are beautiful!!! Thanks for the tips. I’m going to try putting some in a container. I’ve not had good luck planting them in the ground, so I’m excited to try them in containers.
You read my mind! Just yesterday I was all over the internet and pinterest looking for tips on growing hydrangeas in planters! I purchased two petite blue ones a few weeks ago and they are starting to get new growth on their wood. I had them planted together in a pot, and I don’t think they liked that (a lot of the leaves dried up and fell off), so I separated them, and now they both have new shoots. My question for you, Yvonne, is can I keep them as house plants? I live in Ohio, and much like where you live in PA, we have WICKED winters. I know these won’t survive if left outside, without being planted in the ground. My husband said NO MORE HYDRANGEAS in our landscape! I have 8! And they’re all big. So I’m hoping you can give me some advice about letting them stay in the house. Thanks! Have a beautiful day!
Blessings,
❤Beth
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers, each bloom is like a little bouquet.Your entire patio is beautiful.The planters are so pretty, the black is a nice contrast to show off the flowers.
Will these pots “winter over” well, in MIchigan zone 5? Or do you know yet?
I’m not sure Mimi. It depends how shielded they are from winter elements.
Lovely idea! Could I ask you where the big black planters came from?
All of my hydrangeas are in pots. They are spectacular from first bloom starting now until late fall. I love to add cuttings to my arrangments with roses and alstroemerias. My favorite is with blue hydrangeas, red roses, and white alstroemerias for the 4th of July.
Hello: Love your article on hydrangeas. My daughter had a company ship me a beautiful hydrangea which is called Angel ??. It is small in I believe a 1 qrt pot. It’s really pretty; however, it was extremely pot bound and was drooping after a day. I repotted it in a little larger pot, but don’t want to put it outside yet because we have had a week of rain.
How would you handle this beauty. Thanks
Unless they are a delicate variety, hydrangeas do not like to stay indoors.
Great patio Yvonne! The potted hydrangeas do make a great hedge! I am not finished fixing up the front porch but was thinking of adding some potted hydrangeas. Thanks for the helpful tips!
I am in Michigan. How do I keep the alive during the winter months?
Hi Kelli, See my answer to Lisa’s question.
Do you keep the hydrangeas over the winter?
Yes, that gets a little tricky. They must be protected from the winter elements here. So I keep them up against the south side of my home.
Oh these are beautiful Yvonne! I’m hoping to plant some in the ground soon. I have to make sure I get the right ones because I live in hot, sunny South Florida so it’s important to get the right plant for my zone. Thanks for sharing!
You might want to try them in pots and put them in a shady area. I also just found out there is not a heat tolerant hydrangea, but I forget the name.
Here in North Texas I find planting Hydrangeas in the garden doesn’t work so well as the hot Texas sun burns the leaves, so I plant them in pots on my covered patio that only gets sun in the morning hours. They seem to thrive there, and I can see them from the living room through the patio doors as well outside sitting on the patio. They are one of my favorite flowers. Jill
Brilliant, Jill! I would be so sad not to have hydrangeas!
I love Hydrangeas Yvonne and yours are gorgeous. Last year I had mine planted in the ground but ended up potting them. Last year they were blue and this year they are pink. Congrats on the new shop!
Amazing planters! The bold black really makes the pink pop. I love the simple elegance and nostalgia of hydrangeas.
Hi ,
Recently planted hydrangeas, following your suggestions and they look great.
Please send the article about the care for Hydrangeas involving epsom salt, Dawn dish soap, water , etc.(shone insecticide) I can’t seem to locate it
Where did you get your planters from and what’s the width you recommend for your planters.
Hi Andrea, I found them at Gardener’s supply. You can see them here:https://www.gardeners.com/buy/fairfield-patio-planter/8588417.html#SC=XNET0348&start=17