Hydrangeas in planters

Melissa G
by Melissa G
Is it possible to grow hydrangeas long term in planters? We were given two as a gift, both in pots. It's not possible to plant them where I want in the garden because there are two small tree stumps in the way. I'm wondering if i can put the hydrangeas in large planters instead so I can still put them in that spot.
  9 answers
  • 3po3 3po3 on Apr 25, 2012
    In a quite large planter, they should be fine. They might just require more water.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 26, 2012
    What type of hydrangeas do you have, Melissa? If the traditional mopheads in either blue or pink, they should do fine in a large planter. Steve is absolutely right about keeping an eye on the water, though. In my experience hydrangeas are among the more drought-sensitive plants out there.
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Apr 26, 2012
    If you have "florist" hydrangeas, as opposed to those you get at a garden center, you might have a hard time getting them to bloom. In my experience, florist hydrangea varieties are more sensitive to cold and typically get frozen back each winter, yielding nice foliage but no flowers.
  • Melissa G Melissa G on Apr 26, 2012
    I don't know whether my friends bought the hydrangeas at garden centers... my hunch is that one of them did and the other didn't -- that she perhaps bought it at the supermarket. They are both mopheads. One is lilac and the other is hot pink.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 27, 2012
    You have nothing to lose by giving it a try. Perhaps there will be another winter as mild as the last.
  • Melissa G Melissa G on May 01, 2012
    Thanks, Douglas. I will try them in planters and do my best to keep them happy!
  • Ramona M Ramona M on May 22, 2012
    yes i have 2 in planters for 15 yrs. i have divided them in half twice n given the halfs to friends. i watervthem well n give them plant food for hydrangeas. n trim them at the end of the season. i live in nyc
  • Melissa G Melissa G on May 22, 2012
    Thanks!
  • Jennie Gaskin Jennie Gaskin on Jan 02, 2016
    I'm in middle Louisiana, and I have one that's been in a planter (big cobalt blue stoneware) for years. It happens to sit right at the point where the morning dew drips off the roof in the morning (if it rains the water shoots farther out) so I only water it in really hot dry weather. Trimmed when it dies back for the year, and fertilized occasionally. It blooms nicely every year.