Hydrangeas are a well-known flowing shrub that many gardeners love to add to their gardens due to the large beautiful blooms of brightly colored flowers.
If you live in Florida, you might wonder, do Hydrangeas grow in Florida? This question is excellent because this plant usually likes colder temperatures, but some Floridians still manage to grow them.
Keep reading to learn everything you need about growing Hydrangeas in Florida.
What Are Hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs known for their large clusters of flowers. There are 75 species of Hydrangeas, and they come in many colors, including pink, blue, purple, red, and white.
The plants can range from 2 to 8 feet tall, and the flowers can be as big as 12 inches in diameter. The leaves are usually oval-shaped and green, but some varieties can have red or purple leaves.
Hydrangeas are native to Asia and North America, but hybrids grow in many climates worldwide.
Where Do Hydrangeas Grow Best?
Hydrangeas like to grow in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. They also prefer locations that offer partial sun to full shade.
While most Hydrangeas will not tolerate hot, humid climates very well, a few varieties are more heat-tolerant than others.
This beautiful shrub grows best in hardiness zones 5-9. If you want to plan them in warmer locations, you need to give them plenty of shade and protect them from the heat. It may also be wise to plant them in a pot so that you can take them inside on sweltering days.
Can I Grow Hydrangeas in Florida?
Since Hydrangeas like cooler climates, is it possible to grow them in Florida?
North Florida
North Florida is the best place to grow Hydrangeas in Florida. The panhandle is all considered zone 8A which is well within the range for Hydrangeas. If you live in North Florida, you can plant your Hydrangeas outside with little concern for the heat.
Central Florida
Central Florida gets a little more tricky. The areas around Jacksonville and North-Central Florida are zone 8B. Hydrangeas can survive in this zone but require more care. The areas around Orlando and Tampa are considered zone 9A, which is the edge of what Hydrangeas can handle.
If you live in Central Florida, you should keep your Hydrangeas in pots so you can move them inside on the hottest days. This shrub can’t stand up to the hottest Central Florida days.
South Florida
Unfortunately, South Florida is far too hot for Hydrangeas. South Florida is zones 10A, 10B, and 11A. The only way to grow Hydrangeas in South Florida is to plant them in pots and keep them inside for most of the year.
Proper Care for Hydrangeas
If you want your Hydrangeas to thrive, there are a few things you need to do in terms of care.
First, make sure you plant them in an area with plenty of sun or shade (depending on the variety) and rich, moist soil. It would be best if you also watered them regularly, especially during hot weather.
It’s also important to fertilize your Hydrangeas every month to ensure they get the nutrients they need to grow. You can use a general-purpose fertilizer or one made specifically for Hydrangeas.
Finally, ensure you regularly prune your plants to encourage new growth and prevent them from getting too leggy.
Wrap Up
If you live in North Florida, you can plant Hydrangeas outside with little worry. Central Florida is a little trickier, but as long as you keep them in pots and bring them inside on the hottest days, they should do just fine.
Unfortunately, South Florida is too hot for Hydrangeas, so the only way to grow them in this region is to keep them in pots and bring them inside.
You can enjoy beautiful Hydrangeas in your Florida garden with proper care for many years!