Hydrangeas are a staple in many gardens. Big beautiful bushes that bloom in many colors and actually prefer some shade-- it’s hard to go wrong with them.
What if you don’t want to keep your hydrangea where it is though? You may especially want to move it if you planted it in full sun last season and have discovered that it’s not doing as well as you’d hoped.
Or maybe you just want it somewhere you can see it better. Whatever the reason, transplanting hydrangeas is a common occurrence and not hard to do. Keep reading to learn more about how to transplant hydrangea shrubs.
Transplanting Hydrangeas
The best time for hydrangea transplanting is just after the bushes have gone dormant in the autumn. This means the flowers have all died back and most, or all, of the leaves have dropped.
- In cooler climates, the best time for moving hydrangea bushes is November, when the bush is dormant but the ground is not yet frozen solid.
- In warmer climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, you can do your hydrangea transplanting between December and February.
While these are the best times for moving hydrangea bushes, you can really do it any time during the year without killing the plant, provided it’s not in the heat of summer.
How to Transplant Hydrangea Shrubs
When transplanting hydrangeas, the first step is to dig a hole in your new location. Moving hydrangea bushes requires a lot of digging, and you don’t want your poor plant to wait out of the ground for you to dig a big hole.
Pick a location that receives at least some shade during the course of the day. If your hydrangea bush is big and unwieldy, prune it back a little before moving it.
Next, it’s time to dig up your hydrangea. Sink your shovel straight down into the ground in a circle around the bush to free the root ball. Hydrangea root balls can be big and very heavy-- it may take more than one person and a crowbar to pry it out of the ground.
Once you get it out, move it to its new home, fill in the soil around it, and thoroughly soak the root ball. If it’s autumn or winter, you shouldn’t have to water it again until spring. Put down a few inches (8 cm.) of compost on top of the soil.
When spring does come, water it frequently all through the growing season to help it get established. If you’ve moved it in spring or early summer, the bush will need lots of water while the roots establish themselves in the new environment.
-
Which Invasive Shrubs Should You Avoid Growing? Plus, Best Natives To Plant InsteadCertain plants may look lovely but they can wreak havoc to local areas and native wildlife. Here are the key invasive shrubs to avoid – with recommendations on gorgeous native alternatives to try
-
What Not To Plant With Tomatoes: 8 Bad Neighbors That Could Ruin Your HarvestNot all companion plants are beneficial – some can sabotage your tomatoes. Find out which ones to keep at a safe distance in the garden.
-
How To Transplant Trees From WoodsLearn the best practices for transplanting deciduous and evergreen trees from the forest.
-
How To Avoid Magnolia Tree Transplant ShockSometimes homeowners find their magnolia isn't planted in an ideal location, which leads them to ask, “Can I transplant a magnolia tree?”
-
How To Transplant A Tree That Produces FruitHow to transplant an apple tree? What is lemon tree transplant shock? Can mature fruit trees be transplanted? Read on for answers to fruit tree transplant questions.
-
Moving Established Peonies: How Do You Transplant A Peony PlantOver time, peonies may fail to bloom as before. Moving established peonies is one solution, but can you transplant peonies? Find out here.
-
Moving Pampas Grass: When Should I Transplant Pampas Grass PlantsPampas grass is a stunning addition to the landscape, forming mounds of around 10 feet (3 m.) in diameter. With its quick growth habit, it is easy to understand why many growers ask, “Should I transplant pampas grass?”. Click this article to learn more.
-
Do Sunflowers Transplant Well – Learn About Moving Sunflower PlantsGrowing sunflowers in your landscape provides big yellow blooms that simply shout summer. But do sunflowers transplant well and should you move them at all? Click on the following article to learn more about moving sunflower plants in the garden.
-
Firebush Transplant Guide – How To Transplant A Firebush ShrubFirebush is a fast-growing shrub that reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.) fairly quickly and moving a firebush can be tricky. Click on the following article for tips and advice on transplanting a firebush without damaging the roots.
-
How To Transplant Bergenia: Dividing And Moving Bergenia PlantsBergenia may bloom and grow beautifully for several years, then suddenly stop performing. This could be because it is choking itself out and needs to be divided or because something in its environment changed and it needs to be moved. Learn more here.
