No one can help me with this problem? With all of the experienced hydrangea growers out there, I was sure I would have gotten several replies of how to do this by now. Anyone....anyone???
Thanks anyway........Marge

Marge,

Sorry you have not received an answer to your question yet. I was hoping a northern gardener would tackle it.

At two years old, I wouldn't think the roots would be too extensive. Why not pot them up in large containers until you are through with construction? Maybe overwinter them in the garage or basement (don't forget to water now and then) and then plant them in the Spring after the last chance of frost is gone. At that time, maybe you will have a morning sun location to put them in which is optimal. At least by potting them up, you will only have to disturb the roots once instead of digging them from the ground twice. Also, the winter protection of the basement will ensure great blooming next year. Hope this helps.....yg

Thank you, thank you , thank you!
By the way, what does "overwinter" mean?
These hydrangeas are so huge I can't imagine pots large enough for them, but I sure will look around the home and garden centers for them.
One last question...I promise. You said that when I replant them I should find a place with morning sun..considering how beautifully these have done, do you still think they would do EVEN better in a different location? If so, I will find that location for sure!
Thank you so much for stepping up to the gate. Marge

Marge,

There are always variables but the recommended exposure for macrophyllas (mopheads)...oops...my mistake...I assumed you were talking about mopheads...exactly what kind of hydrangeas are we talking about? Are they the blue/pink snowball (macrophyllas) type or paniculatas (PeeGees) or Oakleaf hydrangeas? Important to know which ones they are first. If they are blooming well in zone 6 with afternoon sun, I have a feeling that they are probably not macs...Let us know....yg

Yes, they are mopheads...although the flowers are not near as large as they were last year...not sure why. I have an endless summer hydrangea someplace that has one bloom on it (it's new this year) but it's huge and beautifully pink. Seems to be a slow grower though.

OK then...the recommended exposure for macs is morning sun with afternoon shade or all day dappled/filtered sun. Afternoon sun can be quite harsh and cause wilting, burning or premature fading of the blooms. A spot with good drainage is very important. Quite frankly, I am surprised that they are blooming well in zone 6 with no winter protection. Often in that zone, the bloom buds will be killed off by late Spring frosts on macs (except Endless Summer)or tip die back. Maybe the spot you had them in was providing some kind of protection (?)

Over wintering, means just that. Putting the plants in the basement or garage after they go dormant and leaving them to spend the winter there. This will protect the buds from the elements that could cause them to not bloom as well or at all. Leaving the potted hydrangeas unprotected outside during the winter could kill the plant entirely. Keep in mind that you could cut back the stems on your hydrangeas to keep it at a managable size to pot, but the time to do that without sacrificing next years blooms would be now, not in the fall. This will have the added effect of revitalizing the plant, giving it stronger stems and most likely fewer but larger blooms next year.

I would definitely not toss them, they are worth keeping if you can.

Also, keep in mind that when you replant them, you will have to baby them for a while with lots of water until they again become established.

Good luck.....yg