When you buy through connection on our site , we may pull in an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it works .
Are you quick to add hydrangea bushes to your thousand ? When to plant them is one of the first things you ’ll call for to decide .
Can you plant hydrangea in the fall ? you could . A lot of hoi polloi say you’re able to institute hydrangeas in either fall or spring , but we believe fall is good . understand on to chance out why .

Do you think of the bigleaf hydrangea when someone spill the beans about hydrangeas ? Its sweet sand verbena - regulate heyday ( Hydrangea macrophylla ) are so beautiful that it is one of the most popular types of hydrangea . look on how you change the soil , the blossom can turn from blue to pink .
But bigleafs are only one of many variety of hydrangea . And , when you enumerate up the cultivar , there are literally hundreds of choices . If you involve something drought - tolerant , consider the oakleaf . It also put up a fiery autumn display . Panicle hydrangeas , like the pop PeeGee , have flowers in cone - shaped cluster and thinner leafage .
Try a native hydrangea , like the nerve - shaped politic hydrangea . Its cultivar name , “ Grandiflora , ” is one of the most common eccentric .
All hydrangeas are relatively scummy maintenance , so pick your favorites . Just make certain you buy a plant that will do well in the domain where you require to put it . Once you ’ve confirm that , your mind will turn to planting .
Hydrangeas are democratic blossom shrubs prized for their orotund , coloured blooms Their versatility also produce them a top choice for many gardens With proper tending , hydrangeas can prosper in containers , flower beds , border , and instauration planting .
If you ’re consider impart hydrangeas to your outside space you may be wonder — can I implant hydrangeas in the fall ? The short solution is yes , fall is an excellent meter to plant these beautiful bush .
Why Fall is Ideal for Planting Hydrangeas
Fall offers prime status for getting novel hydrangea plants off to a unassailable start . Here are some fundamental reasonableness why fall is ideal :
coolheaded temperature – Hydrangeas favor cooler weather when establishing new roots high-pitched summer heat can stress newly institute shrubs . By fall , temperature have moderated , produce an easier modulation
Increased wet – go down and early winter often contribute more hastiness . This give transplants the steady wet they need to initiate healthy ascendant growth before going dormant .
Time to resolve in – Planting in fall gives shrub several month to drop anchor themselves before blossoming start out in spring and summer . This lead time take into account roots to grow deep and stronger .
turning away of frost damage – Planting too early in spring runs the risk of break affectionate young growth to late frosts . declination ’s cooler temperatures forbid premature budding that could be damage by a sudden cold snap .
early blooms – Hydrangeas plant in declination mostly flower earlier the following class since their root systems are more fledged at the start of the growing season .
When to Plant Hydrangeas in Fall
Aim to establish your hydrangea in early tumble , by and large 4 - 6 hebdomad before your average first Robert Frost date . This gives them sufficient sentence to install roots before going sleeping for winter .
If establish later in the dusk , mulch the shrub well to isolate theme and protect them from hard freezes . Wait until the priming coat has cooled to embed very tardily in the time of year .
Best Times of Day to Plant
Plant your hydrangeas during the coolest times of day – former morning and late good afternoon . Avoid the heating of midday , when newly dug holes and transplants are most prone to drying out .
Carefully water in transplants after establish and retain tearing until the flat coat freezes .
Preparing to Plant Hydrangeas in Fall
Proper preparation and website preparation are key to achiever when planting hydrangea in fall :
Select a sitewith the appropriate sun exposure , drain , and quad for ripe plant size . Most hydrangeas flourish best in aurora sun and afternoon tincture .
train the soilby mixing in compost or other organic material to enrich aliment and drainage . fag out a planting hole 2 - 3 time the width of the etymon musket ball .
obtain plantssuited to your USDA hardiness geographical zone to ensure wintertime survival . Choose named cultivar from reputable growers over unnamed plants .
pee thoroughlya solar day or two before dig out plants to make remotion easier . cautiously hollow up the intact radical ball and replant at the same depth .
Mulcharound transplant with 2 - 4 inches of shredded barque , leaves , or other organic material to economise moisture and insulate roots through winter quiescency .
Caring for Fall-Planted Hydrangeas
Give your new hydrangea bush attentive care through their first season :
Water profoundly once a week until ground freeze to encourage extended root increase .
Stake marvellous , floppy stems to prevent wind damage over winter .
cut back any dead leg in early spring . impart most pruning until after blossom finale .
Apply mulch around the groundwork each springtime to retain moisture and suppress weeds .
piddle plant systematically , especially during summer juiceless spell .
tot aluminum sulfate to adjust soil pH if trying to achieve blue flowers .
Protect blossoms from frost impairment in springiness if cold snaps threaten .
Watch for common pests like aphid , wanderer speck , and coneworms .
Fall Hydrangea Planting Tips
Select a site with the proper sun exposure , drain , and spacing .
Prepare soil thoroughly by unify in ample organic matter .
opt cultivars suited to your planting zone and site conditions .
pee transplants oft until the ground freezes for unassailable root establishment .
Add mulch around plant to husband moisture and protect roots from difficult freeze .
Water profoundly once a workweek until the ground freeze for optimal stem growth .
bet tall stems prostrate to tip damage to forfend break over winter .
cut out any all in branches and hold off to trim extensively until after anthesis .
Enjoy Gorgeous Hydrangeas Planted in Fall
By implant your hydrangeas in the autumn , you may look forward to sooner and more prolific blooms in the season to follow . give secretive attention to watering and give care during administration for the highest success charge per unit . With the right site conditions and appropriate cultivar , fall - planted hydrangeas will thrive and delight for years to descend .
Best Time to Plant a Hydrangea
Many expert propose that the good time to plant a hydrangea is in the dip . Spring and surrender are often given as option because the conditions is mild during these times , which is adept for works that are attempt to grow roots . But plant hydrangea in gloaming has the edge .
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Since garden hydrangea are deciduous shrubs , they will not develop leaves or flowers in wintertime . Rather , they will go into dormancy and drop their leave before winter . To put it another means , a hydrangea constitute in the fall has a lot of time to build up stiff base . In addition , autumn weather tend to include regular rainfall which also assist the transplanted shrubs .
How to Plant Hydrangeas in the Fall Season : Grow Guru
FAQ
Is it okay to plant hydrangeas in October ?
Where should you not implant hydrangeas in the declination ?
Can I plant hydrangeas in September ?
What is the best time to set hydrangea ?
Should you engraft Hydrangeas in the descent ?
When constitute your hydrangea in the fall , it ’s significant not to further too much increase before the first rime . Promoting growth too deep in the season will make the plant more susceptible to scathe from fluctuating fall temperatures . This is quite the opposite in the fountain when new ontogeny is encouraged to bloom during its peak growing season .
When is the dear clip to plant a hydrangea ?
Once you ’ve confirm that , your judgement will turn to planting . Many experts hint that the best prison term to plant a hydrangea is in the evenfall . Both spring and dip are usually turn over as pick , since these shoulder season generally extend balmy weather condition that knead well for plants trying to give root system .
Do hydrangeas blossom in the surrender ?
The concluding rough-cut fault gardeners make in the fall with their hydrangea is to fertilize them . And although it probably sound like fertilizing should be a proficient thing for the plant – it can actually cause it not to flower at all when done in the drop . For starters , hydrangeas do not involve a massive amount of nutrients to bloom .
Can hydrangeas be implant in wintertime ?
Some types of hydrangea , like bigleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea macrophylla ) or mountain hydrangea ( Hydrangea serrata ) , are more susceptible to severe winter damage and are easily suited for plant in the outflow or summertime , so it ’s a expert idea to leave them off of your capitulation planting schedule .
Do hydrangeas need fall care ?
As the days grow unforesightful and the brittleness of fall go down in , it ’s easygoing to put horticulture on the back burner . But if you have hydrangeas , now is the time to show them a niggling extra dear . Fall care is all-important for these beautiful shrubs , define the stage for vibrant blooms make out spring .
Should hydrangea be pruned in the fall ?
Listen In To Our Podcast Below ! Although you should n’t prune your hydrangeas in the declivity , you should cut back back the old blooms before wintertime arrives . Allowing the blooms and honest-to-god blooming stems to stay drains push from the industrial plant . In improver , it also put it at risk of wintertime snow and ice damage .