How to Transplant Oakleaf Hydrangeas
If your oakleaf hydrangea has outgrown its current location, maybe it’s time to consider transplanting. Or maybe you’re just remodeling your landscape. Whatever your needs, don’t be intimidated by this task. A healthy, well established oakleaf hydrangea with a strong root base will tolerate the move quite well. The best time to transplant your specimen is during the fall or early winter after it has lost all of its foliage and entered dormancy.
Choose a brightly lit, well drained location protected from direct hot afternoon sun and high winds for transplanting the hydrangea. These plants enjoy soils that are slightly acidic with a pH range of about 4.5 to 6.5 being tolerated. Allow plenty of room for the plant, which can attain a size of about 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
- If your oakleaf hydrangea has outgrown its current location, maybe it’s time to consider transplanting.
Dig a hole about twice the width and slightly deeper than the hydrangea’s rootball. Work some peat moss or compost into the dirt from the hole if your soil is heavy. You can safely incorporate as much as half of the final backfill volume with the supplementary material.
Prune the oakleaf hydrangea as you normally do prior to dormancy in late summer or early fall. Tie the branches of the plant securely together with twine to protect them from damage during the move, if you wish. This will also keep limbs out of your way, rendering a large specimen more manageable.
Cut a circle around the plant with your gardening spade, beginning about 12 inches away from the hydrangea’s base. Tip the blade inward and under the rootball with each stroke to gradually work the plant loose enough to be lifted out of the soil.
- Dig a hole about twice the width and slightly deeper than the hydrangea’s rootball.
- Cut a circle around the plant with your gardening spade, beginning about 12 inches away from the hydrangea’s base.
Plant the oak leaf hydrangea immediately in the prepared hole. Position the plant with the top of the rootball about an inch above the soil surface. Backfill the hole, firming as you go to eliminate air pockets.
Water the newly transplanted hydrangea slowly and deeply to hydrate the roots well and to help settle the soil. Since the plant has gone dormant for the winter, you probably won’t have to water it again until spring. At that time, keep the soil evenly moist to help the new transplant become well established.
Apply 3-4 inches of mulch to help protect the oakleaf hydrangea transplant through the winter.
- Plant the oak leaf hydrangea immediately in the prepared hole.
- Apply 3-4 inches of mulch to help protect the oakleaf hydrangea transplant through the winter.
Tip
A well established oakleaf hydrangea and its rootball can be very heavy. Consider enlisting help for digging up and moving the plant. A wheelbarrow can prove to be a lifesaver.
Expect that bloom color may be slightly different following transplant of any hydrangea. This is due to natural differences in soil conditions, which vary by location.
Warning
Don’t situate the plant under a tree, where it will have keen competition for root space, moisture and nutrients. It won’t receive enough light, either. If grass doesn’t grow in the prospective area, your hydrangea can’t be expected to thrive, either
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References
Tips
- A well established oakleaf hydrangea and its rootball can be very heavy. Consider enlisting help for digging up and moving the plant. A wheelbarrow can prove to be a lifesaver.
- Expect that bloom color may be slightly different following transplant of any hydrangea. This is due to natural differences in soil conditions, which vary by location.
Warnings
- Don't situate the plant under a tree, where it will have keen competition for root space, moisture and nutrients. It won't receive enough light, either. If grass doesn't grow in the prospective area, your hydrangea can't be expected to thrive, either
Writer Bio
A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth.
