Rock gardens are popular design elements in the garden because they are very easy to care for and meet the needs of many plants. Rock gardens, however, are not suitable for hydrangeas. You can find out exactly what the hydrangeas would be missing in a rock garden location in this article.
Why are rock gardens not a good location for hydrangeas?
Barren and dry conditions prevail in rock gardens. They are therefore not well suited for hydrangeas, which require a lot of water and nutrients to grow. In a rock garden it is generally too warm, sunny and dry for them.
What criteria does a location in a rock garden meet?
Rock gardens aredry garden areasin which stones form the substrate. They are usually facing south so that the stones can warm up well in thesun. A rock garden should replicate the location criteria of a mountain and is therefore ideal for drought-resistant, alpine plants. With its robust planting, a rock garden is considered particularly easy to care for.
Why are rock gardens not suitable for hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are not alpine plants and with their requirements they are conceivableunsuitable for a rock garden. The hydrangea cannot tolerate drought, direct sun or heat. Just like in a gravel bed, it would be too warm and dry for them in a rock garden.
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Creating the best possible conditions in the rock garden
If you still want to try planting your hydrangeas in a rock garden, you should make sure to meet their needs as much as possible. The stones should contain silicate as this ensures a low pH value. Place the hydrangea behind a large rock or bush so that the location is in partial shade. Above all, you need to water the hydrangea more vigorously than the rest of the rock garden and, ideally, create an opportunity to better retain moisture on the plant. Regular fertilization is also essential for the hydrangea.
