Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers, aren’t they? I love seeing them grow in and around my property, they just seem to breathe a new lease of life into things and really brighten the place up. The thing is, I wasn’t always sure where the best place to plant them was. Join me below as I discuss the best side of the house to plant hydrangeas:
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What side of the house do you plant hydrangeas?
Try not to get too fixated on what side of the house you should plant your hydrangeas but more if the growing conditions are optimum for them. Personally, I like to find a spot where they can take advantage of the sun in the morning and the shade of the afternoon. In most cases, this will be the North or East side of your house. However, this can depend on your location, trees and other factors.
Does your property get a lot of sunlight?
Now depending on where you live, there are many factors that can influence the growth of your hydrangeas and light is one of them. Let’s start with those of you who live in shaded areas such as near forests or dense foliage. Although your hydrangeas will appreciate some shade, they won’t be able to flourish if they are shaded all day long. Ideally, you need to find a balance between the bright sunlight of the morning and the shade of the afternoon.
Conversely, too much sunlight can also have a detrimental effect on your flowers. If you live in an area that gets a lot of full sun, then you should try to find a spot for your hydrangeas that gets some relief from the heat of the day. I always suggest planting them on the North or East side of your house where they will be able to get some respite from the afternoon sun, however, as mentioned above – this isn’t always right for everyone!
If you want to know how to plant hydrangeas, there are many resources available online and offline. You can find websites with gardening tips as well as books that will give you specific instructions on where to put the plants so they’ll bloom. Just remember that it’s crucial to place the plant in an area where it will get the right amount of light.
What Side Of The House Should I Plant Hydrangeas - explained
Let’s have a look at the problem with this question and more about where you shift your focus towards.
Focus more on shade and not on the side of the house
When it comes to planting hydrangeas, you should focus more on finding a spot that gets the right amount of shade rather than worrying about what side of the house they should go on. In most cases, the North or East side is best but it’s important to make sure that they will get some relief from the afternoon sun. too much sunlight can have a detrimental effect on your flowers.
- Morning – should be placed where they receive some fun but the temperature isn’t exceedingly high
- Afternoon – the sun is at its highest point but your hydrangeas have cover from the shade
Inspect your flower beds
When you are looking for the best side of the house to plant hydrangeas, it’s a good idea to inspect your flower beds and see which areas get the most sun and which ones are more shaded. This will help you decide where to put the plants so they’ll have the best chance of blooming.
Other important factors
Now it doesn’t take a genius to work out that sun and shade are not the only factors that influence your hydrangeas health. Have a look at the points below that you need to be conscious of:
Soil
The soil as you might have guessed plays a very important role when it comes to your hydrangeas flourishing. Firstly, you need to make sure that the soil is moist so that the roots have a constant source of water but, at the same time, well-draining so that the roots don’t get waterlogged which can cause root rot.
pH level
The pH level is also important as hydrangeas prefer soil that is slightly acidic. If the pH level is too high or too low, it can have an adverse effect on the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients which will, in turn, affect its growth. If you’re unsure about the pH level of your soil, you can take a sample to your local nursery and they will test it
Avoid areas that are too exposed
When you are looking for the best place to plant your hydrangea shrub, it’s important to avoid areas that are too exposed. This means that you should steer clear of places where there is a lot of wind as this can damage the plant. If you live in an area that is prone to high winds, then you should consider planting them near a wall or fence which will provide some protection.
Don’t plant them directly under trees
Another thing to avoid is planting your hydrangea shrubs directly under trees. This is because the tree will compete with the plant for nutrients and water which can stunt its growth. If you have your heart set on planting them under a tree, then you should choose one that is not too big and has a shallow root system.
Give them enough space for the roots to grow
Finally, you should make sure that you give your hydrangea flowers enough space to grow. This means that you shouldn’t plant them too close together as this can restrict the root system’s growth. If you’re not sure how much space they need, then you should check the label on the plant or ask your local nursery.
Tackling the compass
I’m confident that I’ve given you enough information as to why you should focus more on finding the best place in terms of shade and light rather than worrying about which side of the house they should go. However, I understand that some of you might still want to know which side is best. so let’s touch on this:
Can you plant hydrangeas on the North side of the house?
Generally, the north side of any house gets less sunlight than the other three sides. This isn’t always the case but it’s a good rule of thumb. With that being said, I have seen some success in planting smooth hydrangea plants on the north side of the house so this could be an option for you.
Can you plant hydrangeas on the East side of the house?
The east side of the house is a good place to plant hydrangeas as it gets a fair amount of sunlight. This means that they will have enough light to bloom but, at the same time, won’t be exposed to too much light in the afternoon as it will usually be shade covered.
Can you plant hydrangeas on the South side of the house?
Usually, the south side of a house is too sunny, although I have successfully grown flowers such as roses, Panicled hydrangea plants and sunflowers on the south side of my house. There may be an element of trial and error involved but it’s certainly worth giving it a go!
Can you plant hydrangeas on the West side of the house?
Honestly, this is probably the worst side out of the 4 possible locations. Why I can hear you thinking? Well, the west side of a house usually gets the brunt of the afternoon sun which can be too much for most plants, let alone panicle hydrangeas. There are occasions when a house gets more shade on the western side than it does on the northern and eastern sides.
Conclusion
So, what have we learned? In this article, we’ve looked at some of the best places to plant hydrangeas and why it’s important to consider things such as light and shade. We’ve also tackled the topic of which side of the house is the best place for them, and while there isn’t a definitive answer, I hope that you now have enough information to make an informed decision. Let’s summarise:
- Finding the right growing conditions are more important than choosing the right side of your home
- Usually, the best sides are the north or east side of the house
- Getting the right amount of light and shade to your hydrangeas is extremely important
- Make sure your soil is slightly acidic and hydrangeas love this and keep an eye on the pH.
People Also Ask
Can you plant hydrangeas next to house?
Hydrangeas will be much healthier if you give them some space from your house or other plants. They should have at least three feet of space, but taller varieties may need up to ten feet.
What month do you plant hydrangeas?
Fall is the best time to plant hydrangeas. This is because the cooler weather helps reduce transplant shock, and gives the roots time to establish themselves before the hot summer months arrive.
Will hydrangea roots damage Foundation?
Nope. Hydrangea blooms will not damage your foundation. Their roots are relatively shallow and spread out, so they pose no threat to your foundation or other structures.
Do hydrangeas come back every year?
Yes, hydrangeas are perennial plants, which means they come back year after year. However, they may not bloom as abundantly in subsequent years if they are not properly cared for such as going through a harsh winter.
