Hydrangeas are considered a garden classic and can be grown in German gardens without any problems, as long as they receive appropriate winter care. Above all, the garden hydrangea (bot. Hydrangea macrophylla), which has been cultivated in Japan for hundreds of years, is a highlight in your own green oasis and, in addition to the right care, needs a suitable location. However, this can differ depending on the type of hydrangea, which you should definitely consider before planting.
The best location
The question of the right location for the hydrangea is not as easy to answer as it seems at first glance. While it is true that all hydrangea species feel comfortable in partial shade, many of the species can also use other locations that are not only partially shaded. The classic location of the hydrangea in Central Europe and Germany is described using the garden hydrangeas.
- Light requirement: shady to semi-shady
- Location: west, north
- protected from drafts, especially in winter
Peasant hydrangeas in the flower bed
Garden hydrangeas are particularly happy with these site characteristics, as they only tolerate full shade for a short time and die of thirst quickly in direct sunlight. For this reason, garden hydrangeas should not be exposed to other site conditions, as this would lead to severe stress. Most of the other hydrangea species also prefer this location and can be kept like garden hydrangeas without any problems. The reason for this lies in the home of the garden hydrangea. In Japan and East Asia they grow on streams, rivers and forest edges that are quite humid. Exactly these points must be considered when keeping hydrangeas. Other hydrangeas for this location are the following.
- Chinese hydrangea (bot. H. heteromalla)
- Bract Hydrangea (bot. H. involucrata)
- Velvet hydrangea (bot. H. aspera subsp. sargentiana)
These all come from East Asia and are therefore dependent on the local conditions there. The advantage: You can plant different species in one location and thus fully enjoy the sun and the shade.
Tip: You must never place garden hydrangeas in front of an unshaded south wall, as they will burn out there in a short time. Because heat builds up on southern walls, the soil dries out faster and because Hydrangea species are so thirsty, growth is adversely affected.
Hydrangeas for shade
Which species tolerate shady locations?
Garden hydrangeas aren't the only hydrangea species you can keep in your garden. Even if you only have very sunny or dark locations available, the genus offers many other taxa that are suitable for them. It is interesting to note that some species prefer shade or partial shade and only want to feel some sun in between. Of course, this makes it easier to keep if you have a lot of shade in the garden. The following hydrangeas belong in this group, but you need to be aware that each one can handle a different amount of shade.
- Forest hydrangea (bot. H. arborescens): partially shaded to shaded
- Panicle hydrangea (bot. H. paniculata): partial shade to shade
- Climbing hydrangea (bot. H. petiolaris): shady to semi-shady
- Oak-leaved hydrangea (bot. H. quercifolia): partial shade only
- Hydrangea (bot. H. serrata): only half shade
Panicle hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata
All these hydrangea species have one thing in common, with the exception of the forest hydrangea: their flowers are not clustered together in the flower balls, as is the case with the garden hydrangea, for which the species is so well known. The panicle hydrangea, for example, has, as the name suggests, flowers that are arranged in panicles and thus have a completely different character than the well-known representative. The climbing hydrangea, on the other hand, has inflorescences that are also panicles but have a completely different structure. An absolute shade lover is H. anomala, the "Japanese climbing hydrangea", which really hardly needs any sun and even prefers dark surfaces for climbing. On white walls, it forms hardly any adhesive roots.
Tip: Sometimes a garden hydrangea is offered as a plant for completely shady locations, but this is usually a forest hydrangea, which is often confused due to its similar flower decoration. Although peasant hydrangeas, another term for garden hydrangeas, tolerate shade for a considerable period of time, they prefer partial shade and full sun much more.
Hydrangeas for the sun
Are there hydrangeas for sunny locations?
Hydrangeas are notorious for avoiding the sun, but there are two species that enjoy sunbathing despite their partial shade. The panicle hydrangea and oak-leaved hydrangea are even suitable for sunny to shady locations, as long as you have sufficient water and moist soil that does not dry out quickly. If you decide to plant these species in direct sunlight, you should always pay attention to the moisture in the location of the plants so that they do not dry out.
Hydrangea with a multitude of small flowers
balcony or terrace
The above information applies exclusively to Hydrangea that are planted in the garden and cannot be moved. You have to place the hydrangeas differently on a balcony or terrace, as the heat development and solar radiation is usually much higher on these. For this reason, you must definitely pay attention to the following points if you choose hydrangeas of any kind on the balcony or terrace.
1. Completely south-facing areas should be avoided. Even panicle hydrangeas or oak-leaved hydrangeas can be damaged by the full sun on the balcony or terrace. Tiled surfaces in particular can get very hot when there is a lot of sunlight and additional water can evaporate. Orientation to the west or east is recommended here, otherwise a sunny spot.
2. Water is important because of the attitude in the bucket. Since the plants cannot draw moisture from the soil, you need to water more frequently and generally pay more attention to the care of the hydrangea.
3. Sun protection is recommended if you only have south-facing balconies or terraces. Likewise, you could simply move the hydrangea out of the sun over midday if that's possible.
With this information, nothing stands in the way of keeping a bucket. Nevertheless, you must be careful not to water potted plants too often or cause waterlogging, otherwise there is a risk of pest infestation. Scale insects in particular have their eyes on the flowering plants and can cause major damage if the hydrangeas do not get enough shade on the balcony.
Climbing Hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris
Tip: Some of the species that tolerate shady places can easily be kept in a container on a north-facing balcony all year round. This means that you can enjoy the blossoms of farmer's or forest hydrangeas, for example, even if your balcony faces north and hardly allows any other balcony plants.