The Best Locations for Hydrangeas

Light

• Plant hydrangeas in a location that receives morning and late afternoon sun. The plants do not thrive in direct sunlight and the large foliage is prone to drying and wilting in these locations. Hydrangeas also perform well under the dappled shade of large trees as long as the area is warm and the plants do not face competition for water and nutrients from other plants.

Soil

• Choose a location that has moist, well-drained soil. Check soil drainage by digging a 16-foot-deep and equally wide hole in the area where you plan to plant the hydrangea. Fill the hole with water. A fast-draining soil will absorb all the water within an hour. A well-draining soil, suggested for hydrangeas, will absorb the water in a few hours. Poorly drained soil will retain the water for a day or even longer.

Amendments

• After selecting a location, amend the soil with humus or organic matter prior to planting as hydrangeas grow optimally in a fertile soil. Fertilize the plants on a regular basis during March, May and July with a 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer, as suggested by the Clemson Cooperative Extension. Use about 4 oz. of the dry, slow-release fertilizer and scatter around the plant. Any liquid fertilizer that supplies 0.25 oz. of nitrogen per application is also appropriate.

Mulch

• Mulching is an important part of hydrangea maintenance after planting in the right location. The plants like to have their roots cool and this is done by an application of organic mulch. Use material such as garden compost, shredded bark or leaf mold, and apply 3 inches deep around the plant, as recommended by Toni Lawson-Hall and Brian Rothera in "Hydrangeas." Apply the mulch during spring and spread over the entire planting site. If there is not enough mulch, use only around the shrub, covering as much of the root zone as possible.