Question
I have purchased an hydrangea bush that I want to plant in a container.  What soil composition should I use to get it off to a healthy start?  I have access to manure and store bought top soil.  I haven't always had great success with container plants, so your advice is very much appreciated!

Answer
Hydrangea. . . .Hydro. . . water. This is the most important thing to remember. They love moist, rich soil. If it is blue, it likes acid soil. If it is pink, it likes lime added soil.
I recommend a potting soil, like Mircle Gro, that contains fertilizer, and moisture control in the soil. Mixing in some top soil, and manure, will give it added nutrients, but only add a small amount. The more of the potting soil you use, the better drainage. A small amount of peat moss will add acid for the blue flowers.
Use a container that is one size larger then the one it is in. This is important. If the container is too large, the water will be wicked away from the root ball, and the plant will be dry, even though you watered. If the container is too small, there won't be enough soil around the roots to hold the water, and it dry out quickly. If the plant grows quickly, you may have to repot it again, after a few months. Let the stocks die back completely, before you prune them down. If you don't prune them back, they will be fine as well. Sometimes, I have found that they bloom better if I don't prune them. But they look very ugly all winter.
They don't like hot sun. Morning sun is best. Then shade in the afternoon.
I have grown many hydrangea in containers, for years. When they get too large, I usually plant them in the ground. I winter them indoors, in my greenhouse, only because they like it. They will do fine outdoors in winter.

bakerplanter