Where do Hydrangeas Grow?
Hydrangeas are hardy to -20 degrees Celsius, although winds at -15 degrees Celsius will kill tender wood to the ground. In colder areas, damage to the buds may occur in winter and late spring, so cover the plant with an old sheet, blanket or cardboard container when temperatures drop below freezing. If you live in an area with winters below -20 C, a cylinder of chicken wire placed around the plant and filled with leaves provides excellent cold protection. Planting Hydrangeas Big leaf hydrangeas prefer partial shade. Morning sun and afternoon shade is perfect in inland areas; on the coast, no shade is required. Give them moist, well-drained soil and avoid planting on hot, dry, exposed sites. Incorporate compost, well-rotted manure or mushroom manure thoroughly into the top 8 to 12 inches of soil with a shovel. Organic matter holds nutrients and water in the soil and helps prevent stress from fluctuations in soil moisture levels. As with any other shrub, plant the root ball level with th
