How do hydrangeas do in Triangle? (Raleigh: for sale, house, maintenance)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

My wife would really like to have a white hydrangea added to our landscape. I know I've seen them for sale in local nuseries. Do they do well here in our local climate?

[dansdrive]

NRG ours do very well provided they are watered correctly especially if they are in full sun. If you miss a watering they will let you know....they will wilt like my hair on a humid day. But with proper care they look great! Ours has about 75% shade most of the day and they do fine!

[Zoya]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

My wife would really like to have a white hydrangea added to our landscape. I know I've seen them for sale in local nuseries. Do they do well here in our local climate?

I planted one last year and it did VERY well and is off to a great start this year. I have one called 'lime light'.

One note though....they like water. Be prepared to make sure they get plenty during dry times. I have a rain barrel I use and it goes mostly for this one plant!

Still, it's been worth it.

[no kudzu]

They better do well here because I just transplanted 12 I brought with me from my Atlanta garden. I don't see how they can thrive in Atlanta and not do well here. Just make sure they stay out of the bright summer sun and if they start to wilt give them extra water. And keep track of what kind you have planted because pruning is different for different types. Good Luck BTW they also make beautiful porch plants. You could enjoy a gallon plant on your porch and then plant it in the garden in the fall.

[christinabean]

Funny you should ask....
My neighbor and his wife noticed what they thought were hydrangeas in our yard (or knew were rhododendrons but purchased hydrangeas thinking they were rhododendrons by accident-I am still not sure especially since they look so different), in a garden bed under the stairs to our deck. We had transplanted them from the front yard where they were miserable in full sun.
Anyhow, they asked us lot's of questions and decided to plant the hydrangeas in the same spot under their deck stairs (about 3 weeks ago). The hydrangeas have been thriving! Just the right amount of sun and shade. They get pretty direct sun in the afternoon. As someone pointed out-make sure to water them, or they will let you know they are unhappy!

Best of luck!

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Thanks! This is very encouraging. I have what I think would be a perfect spot on the back corner of my house that gets part shade (morning sun and shade in the hot afternoon). I also have a rain barrel which I will be more than happy to use to water a hydrangea! Thanks for the tips!

[doctorjef]

Do NOT plant a hydrangea in full sun!! In summer you will be needing to water the stupid thing twice a day to keep it from completely wilting. I hadn't been around these plants since I was a kid, then moved into a house where the previous owner had planted three hydrangeas in one of the only full-sun areas of our backyard (all wrong -- like every other planting they did). They are a complete pain to maintain in the summer -- this autumn I'm moving them to a shadier bed. They need partial shade/dappled light. One website I've seen claims that in nature hydrangeas grow deep in the woods. Be careful. I love their blooms and they have few problems generally, but their intolerance of sun and summer heat can make them really high maintenance in terms of watering.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

What should I expect to pay for a healthy hydrangea? I think I've seen them for around $25. Is that pretty common?

[bnatale]

Morning sun.. afternoon shade (well drained soil). The Endless Summer variety will bloom spring-fall (pink or blue blossoms).

[bnatale]

That's about what we paid-- we go to either Homewood Nursery or Logan's-- you can count on thier plants being healthy..... (Homewood warranties their plants- you get one free replacement of each plant you buy)