A good rule of thumb is to calculate one and a half times the estimated maximum width of your Hydrangea and plant it at least that far from your house.Īnd as always, you should take sun exposure into account. Whatever variety you use, check the estimated growth and assume that it will probably reach the maximum listed size. One of the more compact options available, this dwarf Bigleaf produces blue flowers with striking green and purple centers. This will grow into a mid-sized shrub that blooms in vibrant hues from pink to red.Ĭityline Rio. A popular Mophead variant, with flowers that change color depending on soil acidity. A smaller Lacecap Hydrangea which will produce sprays of tiny purple blooms ringed by larger flowers. This is a compact version of the popular Limelight variety, with blooms that begin light green but shade to red in the fall. If you’re looking to use Hydrangeas as foundation plantings, consider dwarf varieties like: Taller varieties may need close to ten feet. These shrubs do best with at least three feet of space from obstacles or other plants. The main reason not to plant Hydrangeas too close to your house is for their own health. With those plants, fluctuations in moisture or temperature can cause their root systems to expand and contract, which can sometimes burst pipes or crack foundation blocks from sheer pressure. That’s more of a concern with larger trees that have thick, heavy roots. Newer materials will do a better job of resisting infiltration.Īnd Hydrangea roots aren’t generally sturdy enough to disrupt an intact foundation. If you’re thinking of planting a Hydrangea near a shallow pipe, you should consider whether it’s an older clay pipe or a newer concrete or PVC tube. If you are experiencing root infiltration from Hydrangeas, chances are you have a plumbing problem, not a gardening problem! Any plant’s roots will grow toward a steady source of water – so a slowly leaking pipe is irresistible. It’s rare for Hydrangea roots to reach that depth. Most of your major pipes will be at least a foot below the ground and probably deeper if you live in a colder region. However, shallow-rooted means something very different for a tree than for an ornamental shrub. Many a gardener has discovered this to their dismay when stray Hydrangea stems began infiltrating their walkways or popping up stems far from the main mass of the plant.Īs a rule, you can assume that your Hydrangeas roots probably extend at least an inch or two past the dripline (the horizontal circumference of the plant’s leaves).Ĭan You Plant Hydrangeas Close To Your House?īy itself, the fact that your Hydrangeas are shallow-rooted isn’t necessarily a plus when it comes to concerns about damage to your home.Īfter all, many problem trees cause issues precisely because their roots don’t go very deep – instead of looking for water far below the ground, they spread into leaky portions of the basement, foundation, or plumbing system. However, they do tend to spread quite a bit in the horizontal direction. The vast majority of a Hydrangea’s roots will stay within the top six inches or so of soil. Instead, they grow in a loose, spreading mass of fibers often referred to as a root ball. They don’t form a central taproot like rhododendrons and shrubs. But Hydrangea roots are actually surprisingly shallow. Looking at the vigorous growth of a Hydrangea’s stems, it’s easy to assume they must be matched by a deep and stubborn root system underground. How Big Are Hydrangea Roots? How Deep Do They Grow? And tall varieties like PeeGees are probably not ideal for foundation plantings. They won’t do well if they’re pressed right up against the boards. If you’re planting Hydrangeas near your house, make sure to give them enough space to allow for air circulation. The only risk is if you have a pipe that’s already leaking, in which case your Hydrangea’s roots might infiltrate and clog it. The slender and fibrous roots of Hydrangeas aren’t strong enough to dig into pipes or foundations, and they’re not thick enough to crack them from seasonal swelling. So you might be wondering if your gorgeous but aggressive Hydrangeas will damage your plumbing or your house, if Hydrangeas have large roots, and how deep they grow? And as a savvy homeowner, you have heard that some kinds of shrubs can bore into pipes and foundations underground. Hydrangeas are hardy and fast-growing plants.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |