Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer light shade. They also need continuously moist, rich soil for best bloom. They are fairly tolerant of sand or clay, but prefer soil that is acid (pH 5.0 to 6.5)
PLANT IN SPRING - Spring is the best time for planting because the shrubs will have lots of time to establish themselves before frost.
IF YOU WANT TO MOVE THEM, IT'S EASY - Hydrangeas have shallow, fibrous roots and are easy to transplant.
Amendments In Planting or Transplanting
There are a number of products at the garden center that will help your newly planted or transplanted plants deal better with the stress inherent in the planting process. All healthy plants have beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, living on their roots. You can buy these valuable additions to your plant’s ecosystem. See the file describing Using Micorrhizae When Planting.
In addition, there are a number of products such as seaweed, compost tea, and beneficial soil microbes that when added to the planting process will help your newly established plants get going faster. See the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
For more information see the file on Planting Shrubs. For planting tools see Hand Tools For Digging and Planting in Yardener’s Tool Shed.