Hydrangeas are one of the most spectacular shrubs for bringing colour to the garden throughout summer, but they're not just suited to large borders. In fact, many varieties thrive in pots, making them a wonderful choice for patios, courtyards, balconies and entranceways where their generous blooms can be admired up close.
Growing hydrangeas in containers also offers greater flexibility. Not only can you move them to find the perfect position, but growing in pots makes it easier to control watering and for some varieties, even the soil conditions that influence flower colour.
Whether you're growing your first hydrangea or adding to an established collection, here's everything you need to know about growing hydrangeas in pots.
WHY GROW HYDRANGEAS IN POTS
Growing hydrangeas in containers offers several advantages. They're ideal for smaller gardens where planting space may be limited, while also allowing you to create beautiful focal points on patios, terraces and beside front doors.
Pots also make it much easier to care for your hydrangeas. You can position them where they'll receive the right balance of sunlight and shade, move them if the weather becomes particularly hot, and monitor watering more closely throughout the summer.
For blue and pink hydrangea varieties, growing in containers also allows greater control over the compost, making it easier to maintain the soil conditions that influence flower colour.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HYDRANGEA
Many hydrangeas grow happily in containers, although compact varieties are often the easiest to manage.
Excellent choices include:
- Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
- Hydrangea 'Little Lime'
- Hydrangea 'Bobo'
- Hydrangea 'Fire Light Tidbit'
- Hydrangea 'Little Spooky'
These varieties provide impressive flowers while remaining well suited to container growing, offering months of colour throughout the summer.
SELECTING THE PERFECT POT
Hydrangeas have extensive root systems, so choosing a generous container is important. A large terracotta pot provides plenty of room for roots to establish while creating a beautiful display that complements the shrub's abundant flowers.
Ensure your pot has a drainage hole at the base and consider using terracotta pot feet to raise the container slightly off the ground. This allows excess water to drain away freely while improving airflow beneath the pot.
The naturally breathable qualities of terracotta also help create a healthy growing environment, while its warm, earthy tones provide the perfect backdrop for hydrangeas in shades of blue, pink, white and purple.
PLANTING YOUR HYDRANGEA
Fill your container with a good quality peat-free compost that retains moisture while allowing excess water to drain away.
When planting:
- Place a small layer of drainage material over the hole.
- Fill the pot partially with compost.
- Position the hydrangea so it sits at the same depth as it was growing in its nursery pot.
- Backfill around the roots and firm gently.
- Water thoroughly.
A layer of decorative bark or gravel can help retain moisture while giving the finished container an attractive appearance.
POSITIONING YOUR POT
Most hydrangeas thrive in partial shade. Morning sun followed by afternoon shade is often ideal.
Varieties with blue flowers generally prefer a little more shelter from strong afternoon sun, while white hydrangeas will often brighten shadier corners of the garden beautifully.
Avoid placing pots in hot, exposed locations where compost can dry out rapidly during summer months.
WATERING AND FEEDING
Hydrangeas dislike drying out. Containers naturally dry faster than garden soil, so regular watering is essential during the growing season.
In warm weather, daily watering may be required, particularly for terracotta pots.
Apply a balanced liquid feed every couple of weeks from spring until mid-summer to encourage healthy growth and abundant flowers.
CARING FOR YOUR HYDRANGEA
The greatest challenge when growing hydrangeas is often keeping them looking their best throughout the flowering season.
Regularly deadheading hydrangeas helps maintain a tidy appearance and encourages healthy growth. Using a pair of sharp secateurs or garden snips will give a clean cut without damaging healthy stems. Simply remove the faded flower head by cutting just above the first strong pair of buds beneath the bloom.
One of the fascinating characteristics of certain hydrangea varieties is their ability to change flower colour. Blue hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, while pink hydrangeas develop in more alkaline conditions. Growing hydrangeas in pots makes it much easier to manage these conditions than planting directly into the ground. White hydrangeas, however, generally retain their beautiful blooms regardless of soil pH.
Healthy hydrangeas can also be propagated from softwood cuttings during late spring and early summer, making it a rewarding way to grow new plants from a favourite variety.
WINTER CARE
Hydrangeas are fully hardy and will die back very little during winter, returning year after year with the right care.
Once flowering has finished, it's often best to leave the faded flower heads in place until early spring, where they can help protect developing buds from frost. Move smaller pots to a sheltered spot if particularly severe frosts are expected and keep the compost slightly moist throughout winter, avoiding waterlogging.
A PERFECT MATCH FOR TERRACOTTA
There's something particularly pleasing about the combination of generous hydrangea blooms and traditional terracotta. The soft blues, delicate pinks and crisp whites contrast beautifully with the warm earthy tones of clay, creating a display that looks elegant throughout the summer months.
Whether you're planting a single statement pot beside your front door or creating a collection of containers around your patio, hydrangeas remain one of the easiest and most rewarding shrubs to grow in pots.
Browse my full collection of terracotta pots to find the perfect home for your hydrangeas, or feel free to get in touch if you'd like a little help choosing the right one.
