Growing & Maintaining White Hydrangeas | Truly Experiences (2024)

White hydrangeas have fast become one of the most common garden plants on the planet, and many people look at them as if they aren’t exactly anything unique and special. While that is obviously untrue, because of their sheer beauty, many people, conversely, absolutely love populating their gardens with these easy-to-maintain outdoor plants.

They must be popular for a good reason, right?

Yes, white hydrangeas are extremely easy to plant and grow, they are dependable if you’re simply looking to decorate your garden with a nice-looking plant, and they are floriferous too. They will require a little bit of work and maintenance on your part as the plant owner, but boy will it be worth it!

What Are White Hydrangeas?

In general, hydrangeas are typically a blue or pinkish colour. The colour of these plants is dictated and defined by the alkaline nature of the soil that it was planted in. Soils that are more acidic tend to produce hydrangeas that are blue, while more basic soil types tend to produce pinker hydrangeas. So, where does the white hydrangea come from, then?

The white-flowered variety of hydrangea was a bit of an anomaly when it was first discovered, but because of how pretty the white varieties are, people have quickly popularised them into becoming one of the most common garden flowers around the world. Funnily enough, white hydrangeas don’t become white because of the pH level of the soil it was planted in. Instead, what gives white hydrangeas their lighter hue is the amount of water and light that they receive throughout their growing process. Therefore, the colour of the hydrangea in your garden is truly completely up to you.

Hydrangeas tend to bloom in the middle of the hot summer months and tend to stay healthy and stand tall until around mid-autumn. They are a little bit more difficult to maintain in countries where the winters are dark and cold, but not impossible to keep around for years and years. Below we will go through how to properly plant and maintain white hydrangeas so that your garden never looks empty, bleak, or colourless. Let’s get started!

When to Plant White Hydrangeas

Typically, because hydrangeas tend to survive best, and bloom fully, in the summer months, it is smart to begin your planting season in the early months or middle of springtime. This time period provides the perfect conditions for proper seed germination and a proper growth cycle as the weather is complementary to the needs of the plant.

Some experts also recommend planting your hydrangeas in the autumn months because the weather is similar to that which we experience during the springtime. However, based on much of the research done on white hydrangeas, this plan places the plant in a difficult growth pattern, as it will first need to survive the harsh winter to fully survive.

Where to Plant White Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are relatively hardy plants that are extremely dependable for a multitude of reasons. They are easy to grow, and if you look after them correctly it doesn’t really matter where you do your planting – the plant will survive and grow. However, if you want your white hydrangea to thrive, stay white, and bloom fully, then there are a few planting guidelines that can help.

Generally, you’ll want to find a spot in your garden that has a good balance between shade and sun, with a slight preference for more shade. You’ll also want to plant these flowers in soil that drains easily and is rich and moist. The spot should be generously maintained with compost and the plants should be separated by around 60cm so that they have enough space to germinate and mature properly.

How To Plant White Hydrangeas

As explained previously, the hardy nature of the hydrangea means that you don’t have to follow a strict planting method in order for the plants to grow. However, if you want your hydrangeas to last year-round, stay healthy, and have a beautiful summer bloom, then follow these steps in your growing process:

1. Find a perfect spot with enough shade and enough sun. Early springtime or late autumn, when the plant goes dormant, is a good time to begin the planting process.
2. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the width of the plant and deep enough for the root ball to sit at the same depth it was in, in the container you purchased it in. If it didn’t come in a container, just dig as deep as you did wide – that should provide the plant with enough space to grow and germinate properly.
3. Fill the soil around the root ball with a generous amount of compost and provide plenty of water. The amount of water should just be enough to eliminate any air pockets that might exist after placing the plant in the ground.
4. In terms of maintenance, all you need to do is ensure that the plant is well watered, in the right conditions in terms of shade and sun, and in soil that is rich and drains well.

What is the Meaning of White Hydrangea?

Many white flowers share the same symbolism and meaning, and the white hydrangea doesn’t stray too far from that formula. Many people look to the white hydrangea as a form of purity, grace, and innocence. Many people take this meaning literally and use the flower to decorate venues for weddings and other such events.

FAQs About White Hydrangeas

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about white hydrangeas.

1. Do White Hydrangeas Need Full Sun?

As explained previously, hydrangeas are a flower that blooms fully and beautifully in the summer months. As such, it makes sense that many people believe that a full day of sun is healthy and prosperous for these plants. However, hydrangeas that get a good balance of sun and shade are the ones that bloom the best.

2. How Do You Keep Hydrangeas White?

Hydrangeas typically change colour according to the pH level in the soil. However, to keep hydrangeas white you need to water them properly, maintain a rich soil level, and provide them with enough high-quality fertilizer.

3. What is the Best Month to Plant Hydrangeas?

As explained above the springtime months or the autumn months provide the best growing conditions for healthy and full hydrangeas.

Ready to add these gorgeous blooms to your garden? Now you can!

Lily Thornton

Lily’s love for flowers and plants was nurtured in her grandmother’s vibrant garden. Over the years, this affection blossomed into a full-fledged passion for horticulture.

With formal training in botany and countless hours in her own backyard oasis, Lily has cultivated a deep understanding of plant care and garden design.