Potted Hydrangea on North Patio: Sun, Pot Size, and Soil

Gardener: hydrangeas in large pot on north-facing patio with "lots of sun" but leaves only grow a few inches, edges brown and shrivel. Second year.

Issues

• Hydrangeas prefer partial sun, not full sun.
• Pot may be too small for extensive root system.
• Potting soil nutrients exhausted after one year.

Fixes

• Move to partial shade.
• Repot into larger container with Super Soil Mix (recipe provided).
• Fertilize with acid fertilizer every 2 weeks.
• Don't overwater.

Super Soil Recipe

Per 10×10 ft: 4 bags topsoil, 4 bags manure, compost, 2 bags sand, 1 bag Milorganite, 2 bags cedar mulch, 2 bags gypsum (clay), 1 bag sulfur. Rototill 12 inches.

Preen or corn gluten for weed prevention.

Right pot, right soil, right light = happy hydrangeas.