How do you take care of a hydrangea?

I just purchased a hydrangea for my mom for Mothers Day. Also is it an annual and if so can I plant it in my yard? I live in zone 6.

How do you take care of a hydrangea?
Hydrangea bushes are easy to grow. They prefer full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, put them in a more shaded area, to reduce wilting in the midday sun. They prefer moist, rich, loam soil that drains well.





When planting, add generous amounts of rich compost. Add mulch yearly to help retain soil moisture, and to replenish nutrients for the plants. Keep the soil moist the entire season to promote lush growth and big blooms. Add a general purpose fertilizer monthly.





Flowers will begin to bloom in mid summer. Remove spent blooms. This will promote more blooms. To grow bigger blooms, thin some of the stems.





Prune bushes back in winter to early spring. If the bushes become too big or winter damaged, they can be cut back close to the ground.
Reply:Hydrangeas form a perennial bush and will grow for many years in a yard in Zone 6 with little trouble. To keep it going in the pot, just make sure it doesn't dry out, but don't get it soaking wet.





Some of the varieties that are grown in pots are not so hardy. You can only tell by planting it out and waiting till next spring. Don't prune it for the first few years until it gets established. They like sun or partial shade
Reply:no it is not an annual so plant it in the grond, but not until a month from now. really nice plants, very interestion too, right now your blooms may be one color, but add a few coffee grinds and in a few weeks they will become a completely different color.





water often and add plant food. also like full sun, but no over watering, or direct sun
Reply:We are in zone 9. My niece planted hydrangeas around her tree. She said she just dug the hole, loosened the root ball, planted it and waters it daily. They are gorgeous!! The leaves are so green they look fake! But, like I said, this is Zone 9.