When Should Native Hydrangeas Be Transplanted In North Carolina?

Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs with flowers in terminal, round, or umbrella-shaped clusters in colors of white, pink, blue, or purple. They are native to North America and can be transplanted in fall when the plant’s dormancy period is approaching. It takes approximately 14 days to grow hydrangea from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden. A complete fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, applied at a rate of 2 cups per 100 square feet in March, May, and July, works well for hydrangeas.

In North Carolina, the best time to plant hydrangeas is in early fall or late spring, allowing the plants to establish strong roots before facing the heat of summer or the cold of winter. In warmer areas, they can be transplanted over winter between December and February, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. All these hydrangeas require well-drained, fairly loamy soil, and once established, they will only require water under extremely dry conditions.

The most common native hydrangea in North Carolina grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide and is the most common native hydrangea. They thrive in well-drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade, but avoid planting them in full sun as this can scorch their leaves. If they bloom on new wood, you can cut them back after they bloom or in the winter.

The crucial period occurs when the plants are transferred to their new site, once the shock of transplanting is over and a vigorous root is established.

Where is the best place to transplant a hydrangea?

When transplanting hydrangeas, dig a hole in a new location with at least some shade during the day. If the hydrangea bush is large and unwieldy, prune it back before moving it. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”. Dig up the hydrangea by sinking a shovel into the ground in a circle around the bush to free the root ball, which can be heavy and may require multiple people and a crowbar.

How do you take care of hydrangeas in NC?

Hydrangeas require moist, well-drained soils and can droop in summer due to heat. They require deep watering once a week during drought to maintain hydration. They are susceptible to leaf spot diseases and powdery mildew, but newer cultivars have been bred for resistance. Effective pest management strategies include watering at the root zone, removing leaf litter, and using 2-3 inch mulch. Hydrangeas also change their flower color based on the amount of aluminum in the soil, with blue flowers found in low pH soils with aluminum, and pink flowers in higher pH soils with low to no aluminum.

This is only true for large leaf hydrangeas like Hydrangea macrophyllas and Hydrangea serrata. The color change is only observed in large leaf hydrangeas, such as Hydrangea macrophyllas and Hydrangea serrata.

What hydrangea is native to North Carolina?

The most prevalent species of hydrangea in North Carolina is Hydrangea arborescens, which exhibits distinctive characteristics. The ashy hydrangea, for instance, displays gray-hairy lower surfaces, while the silverleaf hydrangea is distinguished by bright white, felt-like hairs. It produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers during the early summer months. Notwithstanding its nomenclature, it seldom attains a height exceeding 5–6 feet and exhibits opposite, broadly ovate, acuminate, and sharply toothed leaves.

When can I transplant endless summer hydrangea?

Transplanting Endless Summer® hydrangeas to a more shaded area is recommended during the dormant period, either in late fall or early spring. This allows the hydrangea to bloom on previous years’ growth and the new season’s growth, resulting in double the blooms next spring. In areas with heavy snow, pruning Endless Summer® hydrangeas back to the base is not necessary, as they bloom on both previous and new season’s growth. However, pruning them back in fall is not recommended, as it provides winter interest and ensures that buds that will become flowers in the spring and summer are not removed.

To protect Endless Summer® hydrangeas from freezing winter months, it is essential to leave the fall blooms on the plants over the winter, providing winter interest and avoiding removing buds that will become flowers in the spring and summer.

What month is best to transplant hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are resilient plants that can be grown in most soil types and require little maintenance. They are popular for their variety, reliability, and long-lasting blooms. However, if they are not thriving in their current spot or if they need to be moved to a more prominent area, transplanting them is an option. The best time to do this depends on the location and the climate. In warmer zones 7-9, it is best to move them in early spring, while in cooler zones 4-6, mid-May is the ideal time. If hydrangeas have started growing again, they should be left in the ground until fall. Transplanting hydrangeas at the wrong time of year can risk losing them, which take years to reach maturity.

What is the lifespan of a hydrangea?

Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs that can live for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They prefer morning sun but afternoon shade and require frequent watering during the growing season. Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as common hydrangeas, bloom in blue, pink, and purple colors and bloom earlier than other varieties. They can change their bloom colors based on soil properties, with blue flowers being more common in alkaline soils and pink blooms in alkaline soils.

Cultivars like “Ayesha”, “Nikko Blue”, and “Preziosa” are available. Smooth hydrangeas bloom longer, showing color from early June through September. Cultivars like “Anabelle” and “Invincibelle Spirit” are available. Smooth hydrangeas bloom on the current year’s wood, so pruning them severely is necessary. Cutting them down to within 6 to 12 inches of ground level is recommended.

Do hydrangeas need to be cut back for winter?

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as panicle hydrangea, is a plant with conical-shaped flower heads that can be pruned back to just above a fat bud in fall, late winter, or spring. These plants produce buds in late summer to early fall, which will form next year’s flowers. To maintain winter interest in your landscape, it is recommended to wait until late winter or spring. Popular panicle hydrangeas include Quick Fire®, Limelight, and First Editions® Berry White®.

How to plant hydrangeas in North Carolina?

Hydrangeas, including the French hydrangea (Macrophylla) and oakleaf hydrangea (Quercifolia), flourish in Eastern North Carolina when cultivated in soil with adequate drainage, regular moisture levels, morning sunlight, and afternoon shade.

When to prune hydrangeas in NC?

Pruning hydrangeas is generally done after they flower, with spring blooming shrubs being pruned after they flower and summer blooming shrubs in late winter. Hybrid azaleas bloom in spring and set flowering buds for the next year, so pruning “post bloom” is the best option. Summer flowering plants bloom on wood that grows in the summer, so pruning in winter avoids removing any flowering buds. Hydrangea species vary in wood type, making pruning decisions more challenging.

Can you cut a piece of a hydrangea and replant it?

The speaker posits that propagation is of greater consequence than water, and that soil is a more indispensable resource. However, following the cutting process, the cuttings should be submerged in water.

Where is the best place to plant endless summer hydrangeas?

To achieve the promised endless blooms of hydrangeas, maintain soil moisture and fertilize once in spring or early summer. Overwatering and over-fertilization can decrease bloom production. Pruning to the base may take time for new growth to appear. ‘Endless Summer’ doesn’t need to be cut back to its base, as it blooms on both old and new growth. In hot climates, provide a few hours of morning sun and ensure afternoon shade, while full sun is good in colder climates. However, late spring frosts and cool summer temperatures can hinder flower production, making ‘Endless Summer’ not the panacea Northerners were hoping for.