Is 3 hours of sun enough for hydrangeas?
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.
The further north your garden is located, the more sunlight your hydrangeas need. An average rule of thumb is six hours of sunlight per day. However, hydrangeas growing in the south can perform on only three hours of sunlight.
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.
If you can provide filtered light or even a few hours of dappled morning sun, consider oakleaf hydrangeas. These plants grow in the forest understory in the wild, and are more adapted to shadier conditions. In full shade, they may not bloom as well, but they're unlikely to be affected by weak stems.
Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon.
Shade-Loving Hydrangeas
Annabelle, Invincibelle, and Incrediball are three hydrangeas that perform well in mostly shaded sites.
Hydrangea macrophyllas, commonly known as 'Big Leaf Hydrangeas', are ideal for almost any shade setting & are prized for its large flowers and dense foliage.
There are plenty of reasons why your hydrangeas may not be blooming as much as they once did. Conditions like extreme heat, drought, or excessive sun exposure can all impact how many flowers your shrubs produce. Pruning is also an important consideration.
Hydrangeas can be grown in full sun but too much direct sunlight, especially during the afternoon hours when the sun is most intense, can cause wilt. When exposed to excessive sun, the plant's internal temperature increases, which causes the leaves to transpire and leads to moisture loss in the cells.
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.
Is morning sun or afternoon sun better for hydrangeas?
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.
Endless Summer hydrangeas grow best in partial sun. A location that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal. If these hydrangeas are planted in full sun, conditions might be too hot and intense for the plants to produce blooms. Planting in too much shade can result in weak stems and fewer blooms.
NOT ENOUGH WATER
Hydrangeas need regular water to thrive. Too little water can result in stunted growth and failure to develop flower buds. A drought in the previous growing season can also affect flowering the following year. Plants need consistent moisture, about 2 inches of water per week.
Either sunny or shaded areas of your garden will work for growing hydrangeas. Well, the answer is both! Plants that prefer partial shade, or interchangeably partial sun, need between three and six hours of direct sunlight per day. Sun-loving plants require six hours or more of direct sunlight per day.
Provide Some Shade
Most varieties of hydrangea prefer shade during the heat of the day. Most varieties of hydrangea prefer afternoon shade. If you think your hydrangea can benefit from a break from the sun you can purchase shade cloth online or from your local garden center.
4. 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.
Where to grow hydrangeas. Hydrangeas grow best in well-drained soil, in a protected, dappled shady spot. They prefer sun in the morning with some shade in the afternoon. South-facing positions are best avoided, and protect young growth from spring frosts.
Best Types of Hydrangea for Low-Maintenance
Elegant oakleaf is one of the easiest types of hydrangea to grow. It's also one of the showiest, thanks to its big clusters of white summertime flowers, attractive peeling bark, and textured foliage that turns brilliant shades of purple-red in fall.
- Incrediball® H. ...
- Fire Light ® Panicle hydrangea. ...
- Bobo® H. ...
- Pinky Winky® H. ...
- Invincibelle® Spirit II H. ...
- Little Quick Fire® H. ...
- Tuff Stuff™ H. ...
- LET'S DANCE Big Band® Reblooming hydrangea.
- Mophead Hydrangeas (big leaf) - Hydrangea macrophylla.
- Lacecap Hydrangeas - Hydrangea macrophylla normalis.
- Mountain Hydrangeas - Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. Serrata.
- Climbing Hydrangeas - Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris.
Can hydrangeas grow under trees?
Unless the shrubs are planted in a raised bed that sits above the root system of trees, avoid planting hydrangeas directly beneath trees where they must compete for water and nutrition. The shrubs grow best in soil that contains plenty of organic material and good drainage.
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.
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.
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.
Removing spent flowers will ensure your hydrangeas produce healthier, more bountiful blooms later on.
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.
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.
Hydrangeas need more water than most garden plants and will begin to wilt quickly without it. To ensure that Hydrangeas thrive, water deeply two to three times a week in the summer. Be sure to water in the morning or evening so that water does not evaporate as quickly as it would during the heat of the day.
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."
Panicle hydrangeas can handle hot sun
While they are drought tolerant and stand up to heat, I still like to provide shade during the hottest part of the day. And just because they are drought tolerant doesn't mean you should let them wilt. As with all hydrangeas, plants will thrive with regular irrigation.
What direction should hydrangeas face?
The Short Answer. The best location for most hydrangeas is the east side of your home, but this will depend on your growing location and the structures of the home and any trees or structures around that could block the sun.
Endless Summer Hydrangeas live up to their name, blooming massive pink or blue mophead flowers on both old and new wood all summer long. Endless Summer Hydrangeas are unique, taking the traditional hydrangea to the next level.
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.
Since Endless Summer® Hydrangeas bloom on last year's growth (“old wood”) as well as the current season's growth (“new wood”), you will get the most flowers by protecting the flower buds on the old wood. To do this, do NOT prune or cut back your shrubs after August 1st.
Place the hydrangeas on the cutting board and use the sharp knife to cut the end of the hydrangea at a 45 degree angle. Then cut a small slit vertically up the middle of the newly trimmed stem. Place the hydrangea(s) in the vase filled with hot water. Let sit for a minimum of one hour and voila!
All it takes is some time and a hose. Slowly water your hydrangea, giving it more water than you normally would. The water helps move the fertilizer through the soil and away from the root system of your plants. Note that this method only works on water-soluble fertilizers and not on many granular organic fertilizers.
Planting hydrangea flowers on the north side of a building or in an area with limited sunlight can present some challenges, as hydrangeas typically prefer at least partial sunlight to thrive and produce abundant blooms.
Front Yard Garden Idea With Hydrangeas, Loropetalum and Nandina. This garden design including Nandina, Loropetalum, and Hydrangea will turn any front yard into a modern garden. These flowers will be a great addition to any home and will be an attention-grabbing decoration.
A good rule of thumb is to calculate one and a half times the estimated maximum width of your Hydrangea and plant it at least that far from your house. And as always, you should take sun exposure into account.
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.
Why are my hydrangeas wilting on a hot day?
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.
Hydrangeas prefer a partly-shaded garden, ideally with four hours of direct morning light and several hours of dappled light or shade thereafter.
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.
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.
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.
Early spring or fall are best. (In fact, as long as your soil is workable and the hydrangeas to be planted are still dormant, you may even be able to plant them in late winter.) Your objective is to provide the hydrangeas with ample time to put down roots—before extreme hot or cold weather hits.
If you notice your Hydrangea leaves wilting or curling during the day, especially during the hotter afternoon times, then it may be in a location with too much sun.
Water your hydrangeas in the morning before the heat of the sun is strong enough to quickly evaporate soil moisture. Try to avoid watering at night, which can encourage mold and mildew as the moisture sits through the cool night. Water your hydrangeas through the growing season as well as in late fall.
Either sunny or shaded areas of your garden will work for growing hydrangeas. Well, the answer is both! Plants that prefer partial shade, or interchangeably partial sun, need between three and six hours of direct sunlight per day. Sun-loving plants require six hours or more of direct sunlight per day.
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.
Is Miracle Grow good for hydrangeas?
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Blooms Nutrition
This is an all-purpose blossom booster that's suitable for use on a wide variety of perennial and annual blooming plants, including hydrangeas. It provides various minerals, including copper, calcium, and iron, to supplement common nutrient deficiencies.
The Short Answer. The best location for most hydrangeas is the east side of your home, but this will depend on your growing location and the structures of the home and any trees or structures around that could block the sun.
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.
It is better to prevent drought conditions when possible. To keep Hydrangeas happy, water your Hydrangeas deeply 1-3 times a week. Plant them in loamy soil that retains moisture and place mulch around the base of Hydrangeas to help the soil hold on to even more moisture.
They can be planted at any time of the year. However, to get good results, keep these considerations in mind: Whenever possible, plant in early summer or fall. Don't plant in early spring when frosts are still possible.
