How to transplant hydrangeas to ensure vibrant blooms

Lately, hydrangeas have been appearing exceptionally often in the gardens. Their popularity might soon surpass that of roses. Sometimes, however, these beautiful shrubs are planted in the wrong location. How should we go about transplanting them?

Hydrangeas are exceptional plants that delight the eye with their colourful blooms. Nonetheless, their care and transplanting require proper knowledge and diligence. We offer tips on how to properly prepare for and carry out the hydrangea transplanting process step by step.

The best time to transplant hydrangeas is in early spring or late autumn. During this period, plants are dormant, which minimises the stress associated with transplanting. The optimal time is when temperatures drop, and plants prepare for winter dormancy.

Before starting to transplant hydrangeas, make sure the plant is adequately watered. Well-watered roots adapt more easily to new soil conditions. Preparing the necessary tools: a garden spade, protective gloves, and organic fertiliser is also worth it.

Let’s look at properly transplanting a shrubby (tree-like) hydrangea. First, trim the shrub to approximately 15 centimetres above the ground. Then, with the help of a spade, gently cut and undercut the roots around the shrub in such a way as to obtain a movable "ball" formed from soil and roots. It is very important not to remove the soil surrounding the roots. Next, place the hydrangea in its new spot.

A small tip: it is worth adding fertiliser to the hole and mixing it with the soil after digging the hole. The hole should be a little over twice as deep as the size of our seedling. After mixing the fertiliser, place the seedlings in the hole and gently fill the hole halfway with soil using the spade. Then add the remaining fertiliser and cover the hole completely with soil. Regarding hydrangeas, it’s good to leave a watering basin around the seedling.