Do hydrangeas prefer morning or afternoon sun?
Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they're in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.
Sun helps many varieties bloom, but full sun is rarely required. Bigleaf hydrangeas, which are the variety most people think of when they think of these popular shrubs, can take full sun in cooler areas (zones 4 to 6). But in warmer areas (zones 7 to 9), they do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea. While they can stand the sun, these do just fine in partial shade, too. Plus, panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest hydrangeas.
Too much sun exposure can cause your hydrangea shrubs to burn on its leaves and blooms. Also, be sure to put your fingers in the soil to see if it needs watering. We do recommend a soak versus light watering each day, but you should be sure that the soil is always moist – not wet – by sticking your fingers in the dirt.
Bigleaf hydrangeas grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Hardy to zone 5, they require a well-drained soil and plenty of water. Avoid hot, exposed sites.
They'll start to show their fatigue once the true heat of the afternoon is in full swing. Doggett says the wilting isn't cause for alarm as long as they are able to rehydrate overnight and appear completely refreshed by the morning.
The combination of too much sun and not enough water is a common cause of hydrangea droop, making it a great place to start when your plants are feeling unwell. Check the moisture level of your hydrangea at a point 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) below the surface of the soil with your finger.
Endless Summer hydrangeas should be planted in a place that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. "The amount of sun they can tolerate depends on the zone," says Mcenaney. "Endless Summer hydrangeas that are planted in zone 4 can tolerate more afternoon sun than those planted in zone 9."
Not Enough Light
Hydrangeas grow best when they receive bright morning light and part shade in the afternoon. Plants growing in too much shade will have few flowers and elongated, floppy stems.
Hydrangeas prefer a partly-shaded garden, ideally with four hours of direct morning light and several hours of dappled light or shade thereafter.
Is it bad to water hydrangeas every day?
To help Hydrangeas thrive, give plants a deep soak 1-3 times a week rather than giving them little sips of water daily. Hydrangeas do not tolerate overwatering or drought well. Their leaves wilt in the heat of midday, making it difficult to tell by appearance whether they need additional water or not.
Deep weekly watering is usually enough (if you don't get enough rain). Although you may need to water more often in hot, dry weather. Water hydrangeas deeply and regularly in the first growing season to encourage an extensive root system.
Where to plant hydrangeas. Hydrangeas do best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade – not too sunny and not too shady. Avoid south-facing positions, especially if the soil is very dry. For a very shaded spot, such as a north-facing wall, grow the climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp.
Hydrangeas are hardy in growing zones 3-7 and will need at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. They can get by on 4-6 hours if they are located in partial shade. If you don't know which growing zone you are located, check out this interactive USDA hardiness zone map here.
Hydrangeas grow best in full sun (more than 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). With that being said, all hydrangeas can handle some shade, but the timing and type of shade are important to consider. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, as long as they are getting some morning sun.
But hydrangeas are among the few plants that can draw moisture in through their florets, so it's possible to perk up wilted blooms by completely submerging them in water and letting them sit for a few hours to rehydrate.
Hydrangea Heat Stress
Heat and drought stress can cause the stomata of your hydrangea plant to remain open as they try to absorb water vapor from the environment that they are in. Unfortunately, this causes water to be lost more than it is gained which over time translates into wilting.
Alum Treatment
To do this, re-cut the stem about an inch above the previous cut and immediately dip the bottom ½” of the stem in alum powder (aluminum sulfate), which can be found in the spice aisle. This will help keep your hydrangeas looking fresh and beautiful without wilting.
Dip Stems In Alum Powder
You can also keep cut hydrangeas from wilting by using alum powder. Dip the stems into alum and put them into a clean vase.
How do you keep Endless Summer hydrangeas blooming? The best location to ensure continuous bloom is one where the plant receives morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. In too much sun, they might stop blooming.
Can you use Miracle Grow on Endless Summer Hydrangeas?
Yes, you can use many types of all-purpose balanced Miracle-Gro on Endless Summer hydrangeas. This includes the new OMRI-approved organic multi-purpose Miracle-Grow products. Be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully when applying Miracle Grow to your Endless Summer Hydrangeas for best results.
Panicle hydrangeas are a fantastic choice for adding late-season interest to your garden. As other plants start to fade, panicle hydrangeas burst into bloom, stealing the spotlight with their showy panicles of flowers. Their long-lasting flowers persist well into the fall, extending the beauty of your garden.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Make sure that the soil is well-draining and fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Prune each year in the summer after the flowers bloom, and avoid winter or spring pruning. Additionally, avoid over-fertilizing your hydrangeas as too much nitrogen can prevent blooming.
What month is best to plant hydrangeas? The months of both spring and fall are best for planting hydrangeas, so long as the weather is mild. In spring, this should be after frost season, and in fall, before it begins again. If you need to plant in other months, avoid those that are very hot or very cold.
The hydrangea should be watered thoroughly at least 3 times a week. Always water the plant all the way around the container, not just in one place. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in water which will cause the roots to rot away.
In order to figure out how much water your new hydrangea needs, start by watering it two-three times per week (less in spring and fall and more in summer) and checking the soil in between waterings. Use your finger to feel into the soil around the base of the plant and check for dryness.
Potted hydrangeas overwinter best in a garage or basem*nt where the temperature stays cool but doesn't freeze. The plants will go dormant, but you'll still need to water the pots occasionally, about once a month, to keep the roots moist, until spring.
You can also refer to the texture of the leaves to figure out what the problem is. Wilting or mushy leaves: overwatered hydrangea leaves are heavy and drooping. They may be mushy or pulpy to the touch because their cells are flooded. Underwatered plants, on the other hand, will have dry and crispy leaves.
Deadheading hydrangeas is not a crucial task, and will not damage your plant if you do not do it. In fact, many gardeners find that the dead flowerheads can provide interest in the winter garden, particularly on frosty days, and can also provide winter protection for the plant.
Do hydrangeas need hot or cold water?
Revive Hydrangeas With Warm Water
According to Stembel, hydrangeas are one of the rare flowers that absorb a portion of their water intake through their petals. "This is why a tired-looking bloom can be revived with a quick dunk in warm water," she says.
All they need is well-drained soil, some water and a little bit of shade during hot summer days. Find out even more about hydrangea care in our Complete Hydrangea Guide! Oakleaf varieties are the easiest type of hydrangeas for beginners to grow.
*We don't recommend oakleaf hydrangeas because they don't often look their best when grown in a container. They flourish when planted in the ground. But if you enjoy the look, go for it!
Balanced granular fertilizers such as Espoma Rose Tone and Holly Tone are good choices. Jobes Fertilizer Spikes are another good option. Avoid using fast-release fertilizers in liquid form on hydrangeas. These products can stimulate growth in the short term but may not sustain the plant for the long haul.
Wilting Flowers
Hydrangea flowers can wilt when they are getting too much sun or not enough water. Aside from Hydrangea paniculata which loves full sun, most hydrangeas only desire morning sun. If they are left in the heat for too long they will begin to wilt.
If your hydrangea foliage is also damaged, it may be sunburned (crispy or brown around edges). Depending on the amount of total damage, your plant will eventually recover from severe sunburn, but may not rebound from extreme drought.
Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs, sometimes living for up to 50 years if properly cared for. They enjoy morning sun but afternoon shade, and they need frequent watering during the growing season. Prune them in the fall after the blooms fade so they can grow on strong stems the following summer.
Panicle hydrangeas from Proven Winners are the most reliably blooming, low maintenance, hardy hydrangeas you can grow. Since they bloom on new growth each summer, there is no chance for the flower buds to be damaged by winter cold because they simply haven't been formed yet.
- Smooth Hydrangeas - Hydrangea Arborescens.
- Panicle Hydrangeas - Hydrangea Paniculata.
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas - Hydrangea Quercifolia.
Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon. The reblooming Endless Summer® Hydrangea series prefers part shade. These include BloomStruck®, Endless Summer®, Blushing Bride®, and Twist-n-Shout®.
What happens if you plant hydrangeas in full sun?
Many people think that you need a shady garden in order to grow hydrangeas. While that is true for some varieties, some hydrangeas thrive in sunny spots and even need full sun to develop into the fullest plants and the brightest blooms.
Hydrangea macrophyllas, commonly known as 'Big Leaf Hydrangeas', are ideal for almost any shade setting & are prized for its large flowers and dense foliage.
What Time of Day To Water Hydrangeas. If watering at twilight is part of your routine or grabbing the hose around mid-afternoon is what you think is best for staving off the worst of the summer heat, you might want to consider making a switch to the early morning hours.
All hydrangeas will turn brown if they wilt too many times in hot weather. Water these shrubs deeply every few days in the heat of the summer (note that hand watering isn't deep enough) and mulch around plants to hold moisture in the soil longer.
Planting & Care for Summer Crush Hydrangea Plants/Shrubs
Pick a spot that has dappled sunlight or morning sun and afternoon shade. Make sure they are sheltered from frosty winds, which will damage blossoms. The Summer Crush Hydrangea requires six hours of full sun and partial afternoon shade.
Fertilization. Fertilize your Endless Summer Hydrangeas in the spring with Holly-tone for blue flowers or Plant-tone and granulated lime for purple to pink flowers. For best flowering we recommend fertilizing in April, May and June with 1 cup of fertilizer for each foot of branch spread.
Make sure that the soil is well-draining and fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Prune each year in the summer after the flowers bloom, and avoid winter or spring pruning. Additionally, avoid over-fertilizing your hydrangeas as too much nitrogen can prevent blooming.
For hydrangeas planted in ground.
For optimal growth, bloom production, and quality, fertilize three times: In early spring when plants are just leafing out. In early May to boost their flower production for summer. In late June/early July to help your plants finish the summer strong.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Hydrangeas produce a “sap” that clogs their stems and blocks water from traveling up it to those gorgeous blooms. The boiling water helps to do away with the sap.
Can you add coffee grounds to hydrangeas in summer?
It's best to start adding coffee grounds to the soil months before the blooming season begins, ideally in the late fall. You can repeat the process with your typical fertilizing schedule.
While you can plant hydrangeas at any time, the best time is spring or fall. If you plant in the middle of the summer, they're going to need lots of attention to survive. Place and Plant. Once you've found the perfect spot (ideally with well-draining soil,) dig a hole twice the width of the hydrangea's container.
The exact preferences of your hydrangea will depend on which variety it is. While Oakleaf, Climbing, and Mophead Hydrangeas will all take between three to six hours of direct sun, other varieties (like Mountain, Panicle, and Smooth Hydrangeas) prefer more than that.
