Container Gardening with Hydrangeas

What is more beautiful than big, beautiful hydrangea blooms to accent your home? Both in your garden and in containers, Endless Summer hydrangea can provide a stunning accent to your landscape late spring through fall. Planting perennial hydrangeas in pots gives you versatility and the option of moving your hydrangea planters throughout the season to just the right spot on your patio or by your front door. Containers give heightened emphasis to an entryway, next to a pool, on your deck or patio, or as a freestanding piece within your garden landscape.

Endless Summer hydrangeas are incredibly elegant on their own in pots. Whether you use the beautiful white hydrangea, Blushing Bride, or the rose-pink or purple hydrangea, BloomStruck, the large blooms make an impressive statement. A single hydrangea is a simple, easy and striking way to spruce up your home. Hydrangeas can also be paired with annual or perennial plants such as euphorbia, lobelia or licorice vines. Use perennial flowers that are a complimentary color and be sure not to plant too many as it will appear crowded and busy. Sleek, elegant and simple is all that you need with the big hydrangea blooms!

Hydrangea Planting in Pots

In addition to following the general care tips for Endless Summer hydrangea, there are a few pointers to help you be successful:

Soil Preparation & Fertilizer

To prepare for these plants, use a bagged potting mix instead of garden soil. Some bagged mixes have slow release fertilizer mixed in, which help the shrubs in their first year. If you buy one that doesn’t already contain fertilizer, mix in a slow-release fertilizer with a NPK ratio of 10-30-10. Leave approximately 3 inches of space between the top of the soil and the rim of the container so you have enough space to water properly. As the season progresses, you can sparingly apply a diluted liquid fertilizer up to 2 times per month to encourage bloom production. We recommend a bloom-booster formula with a NPK ratio of 10-30-20.

Watering Hydrangeas

When watering your plants, fill the container to the rim and let it drain fully through the bottom drainage holes then repeat. (If your container does not have drainage holes, drill holes or find a different container that does have holes in the bottom at your local nursery.) This is important so that you can ensure the roots are getting enough water deeper in the pot. During the growing season, and especially on hot and windy days, check the soil moisture daily. Hydrangeas require more water than other varieties because of their large blooms, so thoroughly watering potted plants is highly important.

Overwintering

Bring the entire container into your garage or basement for the winter months, and follow the same steps as garden-planted hydrangeas. Potted plants will not require as much mulch, but should be lightly watered throughout the winter months since they will not receive moisture from snow and rain.