How to Plant Hydrangea Bushes in New Jersey
Hydrangeas are flowering bushes that produce pink, blue or white flowers, adding a splash of color to a flower garden or landscaped bed. They are best planted in early summer or late fall and do best in an area with loose, well-drained soil that gets plenty of sunlight. At their full size, they are about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Most hydrangea species fall into zones 6 and 7 in the U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone map and can easily be grown in New Jersey. When purchasing your hydrangeas, be sure the species you choose can tolerate the climate. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Preparing a Location
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1
Find a spot in your yard that gets a good amount of direct sunlight but also is in the shade for part of the day.
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Check to make sure the location you have chosen will allow space for the plant to reach its full size without pruning.
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3
Using a trowel or small shovel, dig a hole large enough to allow the roots to spread out.
Planting
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4
Place the hydrangea root ball in the hole.
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5
Slowly add dirt over the plant, pressing down regularly to get rid of any excess air pockets. The crown of the root ball should be only about 1 inch below the surface after planting.
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Place mulch around the plant to protect it.
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Thoroughly water the plant to allow it to begin to set up roots in its new location.
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8
Water the plant regularly If there is no rain to allow it to thrive and grow to its full size.
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Tips & Warnings
If you live in an area where the temperature drops below 0 degrees over the winter, add mulch to the plant in late autumn to protect it. You can change the color of hydrangea blooms by changing the pH level of the soil. To make blooms pink, add lime to the soil. To make blooms blue, add aluminum sulfate.
Do not over water hydrangeas because root rot can develop and the plant may die. Do not plant hydrangeas under trees because they will not get enough sun to grow.
