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Bigleaf Hydrangea growing in a garden
Perennial shrub

Bigleaf Hydrangea plant profile

Hydrangea macrophylla

A perennial shrub for partial sun.

Last updated .

When to plant

When to plant Bigleaf Hydrangea

Spring or fall is the best time to plant bigleaf hydrangeas. Both seasons give the roots mild weather to settle in before summer heat or hard winter cold.

The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.

Open Bigleaf Hydrangea in my garden calendar

Shows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.

Growing conditions

Sun
Partial sun
Soil pH
5 to 8.5
Lifecycle
Perennial
Spacing
36 to 72 in apart

Common problems

Watch for these

Also watch for: wilting in afternoon sun, winter injury, failure to bloom, cercospora leaf spot, hydrangea leaftiers, rose chafers.

Evidence trail

Evidence behind this profile

Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.

  1. Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)

    North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.

  2. Hydrangea Care in South Carolina (HGIC 1067)

    Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-11.

  3. Planting Shrubs Correctly (HGIC 1052)

    Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.

  4. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hydrangea (Hydrangea species) entry

    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.