Hydrangea are upright or climbing woody plants of the genus Hydrangea belonging to the family Hydrangeaceae. Their requirement for soil with the ability to retain water and good drainage is what makes them unique.
So, when is the best time to plant hydrangeas in Ohio? Try late spring or early fall, when nighttime temperatures bring in cooler air, well after any chance of frost has passed.
If you garden in an area where the ground freezes, you should sow your plants at least six weeks before they emerge in the fall.
Like most plants, the root and underground stem (rhizome) of hydrangeas are used to make medicine. People use hydrangea for bladder infections, prostate infections, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and other conditions.
But these are possible when the planting is right and the timing for the planting is right.
Best Time To Plant Hydrangeas In Ohio
There are suitable times and then there is the best time to plant hydrangea in Ohio. Aside from the right timing, the right factors of that timing are also considerations that favor the planting of hydrangeas.
So, you may likely want to grow hydrangea in Ohio but don’t know when to do so.
These are a few tips on making a garden of hydrangeas, either for medicinal purposes or for the ornamental purpose it serves. Adherence strictly to these seasoned timing and spacing brings the expected harvest.
1. Autumn Season
The best time to plant hydrangeas in Ohio is thought to be in the fall. September is 73–82 °F (23–27 °C), pleasant but not hot.
October daily highs range from 60 to 70 °F (+15 to 20 °C). Nighttime lows range from 40 °F (+5 °C) to 60 °F (+15 °C). There is less chance of thunderstorms, and there is less precipitation overall.
Early spring is the best time to plant hydrangeas in Ohio. Planting during this season helps your hydrangeas develop a solid and healthy root against the summer bloom. Avoid planting hydrangeas during the summer, when the sun is high and tense.
But the best time to plant or transplant hydrangeas is in the fall or early spring. Fall is the best time to plant anything because dormancy is approaching.
Hence, any kind of transplant shock will stress the plant. Then the hydrangeas will have all winter to adapt and harden off before they start their growth the following spring.
2. Summer Season
Ohio experiences steamy summertime showers and thunderstorms. The range of daytime temperatures is 78 °F (25 °C) to 86 °F (30 °C). At night, the temperature drops to 57–63 °F (+14–17 °C).
Clouds frequently cover the daytime sky. The afternoon is when it rains the most. In August, tornadoes are most likely.
Avoid planting hydrangeas during the sweltering summer only if you are willing to give them your time and an excessive amount of attention. Hydrangea planting at its best should be done in late spring or just in early fall.
Now If you garden or plant in a region or environment where the ground freezes, then get plants into the ground at least six weeks before fall’s first killing frost.
The months of both spring and fall are best for planting hydrangeas, so long as the weather is mild.
3. Spring Season
In Ohio, spring is brief. May gets warm as early as possible, with highs of 64 °F (+18 °C). It is a few degrees colder near Lake Erie.
With the highest amount of rainfall, April is the wettest month of the year. Tornadoes are not unheard of, but thunderstorms are. The weather might change drastically during the day.
Planting hydrangeas in Ohio during the spring is favorable because the soil temperatures are moderate and the weather is mild.
Spring planting should occur after the last frost, typically in late April or early May.
Planting during these times allows hydrangeas to establish a strong root system before the hot summer weather or cold winter temperatures set in.
Avoid planting hydrangeas during the hottest or coldest months to prevent stress on the plants.
4. The Soil Profile
Thus, the nature of the soil is as vital as the timing of planting hydrangeas. The weather affects the texture and feel of the soil and how nutrients get into the soil; hence, how plants survive.
Horticultural studies have proven that loamy soils are the best soils to plant your hydrangeas. And because the loamy soil is well-drained, it requires balanced water upkeep, which the roots of the hydrangeas vitally need.
Additionally, hydrangeas need a well-drained soil type that also has good water-holding capacity. Many areas of Ohio contain heavy clay soils. Because clay soils drain slowly and can hold moisture for periods, they provide poor conditions for hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas perform best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade but not too sunny or too shady. Avoiding south-facing positions is very important, especially if the soil is very dry.
For a very shaded spot, such as a north-facing wall, which will also relate to the best time to plant hydrangeas in Ohio.
5. Temperature
Do you know that the temperature of an environment can affect almost everything that is within the location? Yes, if so, there should be the best temperature to plant hydrangeas in Ohio.
The ideal room temperature is between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius. The hydrangea wants a lot of water but does not need any excess water in the pot! Hydrangeas love water but don’t live in it.
Final Words
In summary, when is the best time to plant hydrangea in Ohio? The best time is during the late spring, which is just after the last frost.
So why wait? Let’s get to the garden and do some major toiling and planting to see the harvest during the spring bloom. The hydrangea is waiting for you to do your part while it does its part of growing.
