How to Hydrate Hydrangeas

The hydrangea requires lots of water to remain healthy. There is a right way and a wrong way to water the hydrangea. Because it is susceptible to several fungal pathogens, it's important to keep water off the hydrangea's foliage. Watering at the soil level and not overhead helps prevent disease. It is also possible to overwater the hydrangea, especially in heavy soil, making the shrub susceptible to root rot. Drip irrigation systems allow slow, deep watering that is ideal for the hydrangea. Soaker hoses work well.

Soaker hoses
Mulch
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the soaker hoses in concentric circles around the hydrangea with the first one placed 6 inches from the shrub's base. Place the other hoses 6 inches from one another until the final one rests 1 foot beyond the widest part of the hydrangea shrub. Smaller hydrangeas may only require one soaker hose, while larger bushes may need several.
- 2
  Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the soaker hoses. This keeps them in place and prevents rapid soil moisture evaporation in the summer.
- 3
  Determine how long running the soaker hoses moistens the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Dig a narrow 6-inch hole next to the plant at the dripline. Run the soaker hoses in 15-minute increments until the soil at the hole's bottom is slightly moist. This reveals how long to run the soaker hose. After this, supply 1 inch of water a week. Keep in mind that the soil dries quicker on hot and windy days.
- 4
  Apply water immediately if the hydrangea wilts.

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