Proper Method to Plant Hydrangeas in the Ground

Site Selection

• Hydrangeas thrive with plenty of water, but they don't take well to areas where water tends to pool. Choose a site with moist, crumbly, well-drained soil. These plants also prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun makes the leaves curl, while too much shade results in fewer and less hearty blooms. Locations with dappled sunlight or partial shade are good spots for hydrangea. Some varieties grow tall, up to 10 feet, and others need room to spread out. Consider growth and eventual size when selecting a location.

Prepare the Soil

• The planting hole needs to be the same depth as the container that holds the hydrangea, and it needs to be about two or three times wider than the container. The width provides enough loose soil for the plant to establish roots quickly. Fill the hole with organic matter to a depth of 3 or 4 inches, more if the soil is mostly clay. Avoid peat moss since it breaks down too quickly.

Color Choices

• Blue and pink hydrangea blooms change color in response to soil acidity. Alkaline soils result in pink blooms, acidic soils produce blue. Sprinkle 1 cup of aluminum sulfate into alkaline soils to arrive at blue blooms. Add a little lime to acidic soils if you prefer pink blooms.

Prepare the Plant

• Gently rake open the root ball to free up the roots. Plants often become root bound while sitting in containers. Helping free the roots gives hydrangeas a better start. Add a small amount of starter fertilizer to help establish good nutrients and reduce shock to the plant. Garden centers have a wide selection of starter fertilizer products.

Finishing Touches

• Push soil back into the hole and press it around the hydrangea's root ball firmly by hand. Keep the hydrangea's root ball at or slightly above ground level. You can mix in a little more compost or other organic matter as you add soil back into the hole. Give the newly planted hydrangea a long drink of water, until "puddles form around the plant and all the air bubbles have escaped," according to the University of Georgia. Finish by adding a few inches of mulch to help the soil retain moisture.