You May Want To Avoid Planting This Type Of Hydrangea In Your Yard. Here's Why

If you've fallen in love with your brand-new hydrangea bouquet, it's only natural to wonder what your yard would look like with bushes of blooms. However, you may want to think twice before planting your new flowers directly in your garden. The kind of hydrangea you purchase from the florist is a different variety from those meant to be replanted in a garden or flower bed.

It's easy to get fooled into thinking the best plan of action is to replant your florist hydrangeas. After all, they often don't last very long in their small, original pot. However, florist hydrangeas are actually meant to have a short and sweet lifespan. They are not equipped for surviving harsh weather and the elements, making them best suitable for a brief life indoors. When it comes to gardening tips and tricks for successful hydrangea blooms every year, it's crucial to plant a variety that is intended to thrive outside.

If you're unsure whether your gifted hydrangea is meant to live outdoors, the pot itself offers a huge clue. Wholesale or garden-friendly hydrangeas are usually in a generic pot, whereas florist hydrangeas often have a decorative pot cover or an aesthetically pleasing container. That's because they are meant to live their whole life inside the pot. Sourcing your hydrangea from your local garden center is always a better bet than a florist. There is also one grocery store that is known to carry budget-friendly hydrangeas.

Your climate will determine which specific variety of hydrangea will thrive best in your garden. If you live in a warmer climate, specifically USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 9, you can consider Hydrangea macrophylla or Hydrangea arborescens. However, some afternoon shade is preferable to keep your hydrangeas healthy. On the other hand, if your garden gets very little direct sunlight, try Hydrangea quercifolia or Hydrangea petioralis as shade-friendly alternatives. If your primary goal is to foster ultra-lush blossoms, this showstopping variety of hydrangea produces massive flowers.