planting an hortensia?

[stilllovingmysleep]

A friend brought me a lovely hortensia / hydrangea in a plastic pot. I wanted to thus some advice as to how to take care of it and where to re-plant it. In a large pot for outside? And if so what compost does it need and how much watering? Or should I plant it in the ground in the garden?

Hydrangeas are happiest somewhere slightly shady that doesn't dry out. Fine in a pot as long as you keep it watered (rain water ideally). Not boggy, but not dried out. It should be fine in any potting compost.

Thanks Purple, very helpful. So for now you would recommend a large pot with normal potting compost and maybe to place it in front garden? I have seen some massive hydrangeas in friends' gardens--is it that people replant them in the ground when they grow?