When Should Hydrangeas Be Moved?

In a cooler climate, the best time to transplant hydrangeas is in fall, when the plant’s dormancy period is approaching. This is after the flowers have died back and most of the flowers have dropped, but before the threat of a hard frost. The best seasons for transplanting are early spring or fall, as the weather is milder and reduces stress on the plant.

In warmer climates, the best time to move hydrangeas is in November, when the bush is dormant but the ground is not. If you feel your hydrangea isn’t thriving in its current spot or would like to move it to a more prominent area of the garden, transplanting it is an option. Timing is the most crucial factor in relocating hydrangeas, as it affects their dormancy periods and optimal seasons for transplanting.

Moving the plant after it’s gone dormant is the best time to do so, either mid-fall in colder climates or winter in warmer ones. Keep the roots moist during the process and water the plant. Fall is a good time to move a hydrangea because it will have enough time to establish its roots in its new position while the soil is still warm and it isn’t actively growing.

With hydrangeas, you can choose whether to transplant early in the growing season (spring) or the fall. In most cases, you want to transplant your hydrangea when a plant is dormant. The best time to transplant is usually in late winter/early spring once the ground is workable but before the plants are actively growing. Shrubs are fine to transplant now as long as they can be checked for watering needs after the move.

Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?

Hydrangeas, commonly known as hydrangeas, prefer partial sun locations, receiving sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The Endless Summer® Hydrangea series, such as BloomStruck®, Endless Summer®, Blushing Bride®, and Twist-n-Shout®, prefer part shade. Smooth hydrangeas like the Annabelle Hydrangea also require some shade from the afternoon sun. Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as hydrangea macrophylla, prefer some shade, especially during the afternoon. For best flowering, big leaf hydrangeas like Nikko Blue and Glowing Embers should get some sun.

Planting hydrangeas in a spot with good drainage, morning sun, and afternoon shade is essential. Most hydrangeas bloom in spring and summer, and can reach heights of 15 feet or higher. They can be grown in pots to decorate patios, apartment balconies, or as a hedge or privacy screen.

Panicle hydrangeas like Fire Light®, Limelight, Pinky Winky®, Strawberry Sundae®, and Vanilla Strawberry® can thrive in full sun. The new reblooming dwarf series, Let’s Dance®, and dwarf big leaf series, Cityline®, grow best in full or part sun. Newer smooth hydrangea varieties, Incrediball®, and Invincibelle® Ruby, are also recommended for full or part sun.

Should I cut back hydrangea before transplanting?

Horticulturists suggest root-pruning plants a few days before transplanting to reduce shock and allow roots to recover. Dig a hole at a 45-degree angle outside the leaf line, making a single cut without disturbing the roots. Keep the plant watered for the next few days. Larger plants may need one to two years to recover from transplanting, while newer varieties like ‘Endless Summer’ bloom on new wood. Before removing the hydrangea, prepare its new home by digging a hole with a width that doesn’t cramp the root ball.

Use a good planting soil like Fafard Planting Mix and use Espoma’s Bio-Tone to reduce transplant shock and establish the plant’s roots more quickly. Newer varieties like ‘Endless Summer’ bloom on new wood, reducing the risk of no blooms the following year.

Are you supposed to cut back hydrangeas?

To maintain a tidier look in your garden, consider pruning dried flower heads in spring. If you live in areas with heavy snow or prefer a tidier look, prune them in late fall to early winter. Reblooming hydrangeas, which bloom exclusively on new wood, should be pruned the same way as those that bloom on old wood. This means only pruning out a few dead branches in spring once the plant starts to leaf out.

Is it better to transplant hydrangeas in the spring or in the fall?

Planting in the southern hemisphere involves allowing the soil to warm up for a few weeks to help establish plant roots and ensure healthy root systems. Waiting until autumn is better for hydrangea transplants due to the warm, comfortable ground, shorter daylight hours, and abundant natural rainfall. Spring planting is typically done with colder ground, which can lead to poor plant growth. Additionally, autumn planting reduces the possibility of heat stress, as daylight hours are shorter and the heat is more intense.

Natural rainfall also increases, reducing the burden on gardeners to irrigate. A steady and slow drip from nature is more beneficial than any irrigation schedule. Therefore, it is recommended to plan for hydrangea transplants in the fall to ensure optimal growth and health.

Can hydrangeas be transplanted in summer?

The transplantation of a hydrangea is feasible at any point in time, with the exception of the summer season. The optimal period for transplantation is the fall or winter months in regions with a warm climate, following the plant’s dormant season. This is due to the fact that temperatures are lower, the ground is not frozen, and the majority of leaves have fallen. In selecting a site for the planting of a hydrangea, it is advisable to consider a number of factors.

Do hydrangeas go into shock when transplanted?

Transplant shock is a common side effect of moving plants, causing wilting, falling leaves, and hydrangeas not blooming. To minimize the risk, dig up as much of the root ball and surrounding soil as possible. Prune hydrangeas well, but avoid pruning at this stage to avoid stress. Keep the plant well watered until it settles into its new spot, and once it starts to flower, you can be confident that the hydrangea has transplanted well.

What happens if you transplant hydrangea in summer?

The transplantation of a hydrangea is feasible at any point in time, with the exception of the summer season. The optimal period for transplantation is the fall or winter months in regions with a warm climate, following the plant’s dormant season. This is due to the fact that temperatures are lower, the ground is not frozen, and the majority of leaves have fallen. In selecting a site for the planting of a hydrangea, it is advisable to consider a number of factors.

What not to plant next to hydrangeas?

Lavender, a Mediterranean plant, is sensitive to soil moisture, humidity, and sun, preferring dry, rocky, sandy conditions. Its unhappy condition can cause it to turn yellow, brown, and snap off its stem. Daffodils can be toxic to other plants due to their secreted substance. Marigolds, while a great companion plant for many herbs and vegetables, do not like hydrangeas. They prefer sun and prefer their feet in drier conditions, and if placed in moist ground, they will droop, turn yellow, and eventually die.

Do hydrangeas need to be cut down every year?

Hydrangea pruning depends on the type of plant and can be done by removing dead branches and deadheading spent blooms. If pruning is necessary, it depends on whether the plant blooms on old or new wood. Old wood hydrangeas have buds being formed, and pruning them too late may result in no flowers next spring. Therefore, it is recommended to prune these shrubs immediately after their flowers fade, as they are growing too large or unruly.

Where should you not plant hydrangeas?

It is inadvisable to cultivate hydrangeas in USDA hardiness zones 1 and 2, given their inability to withstand the rigors of colder climates and their incompatibility with tree roots and insufficient sunlight.

Can you dig up a hydrangea and move it?

Transplanting hydrangeas is a common practice, as it occurs in the off-season, which is the season when the plant is dormant. This process depends on the hydrangea’s flowering season. It is possible to transplant early in the growing season (spring) or fall, but early-season transplants require more watering than early-season transplants. If you don’t have an automatic watering system, hand watering can become outdated quickly.

After choosing the best site for your hydrangea, dig the receiving hole first to ensure it can accommodate the rootball. Avoid planting plans if you encounter “foundation” rocks, as they can thwart your plans. The new hole should be dug first for your hydrangea transplant.