Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'

Dig a hole one foot wider and about as deep as the plant's root ball. Do not plant too deep. Roots should be visible at the surface of the soil and the top of the root ball should be even with the surrounding soil. In clay soil, the root ball should be slightly higher.Remove plants from their containers. Place plants in hole. Loosen roots by making four or five slashes, about one-inch deep vertically down the root ball with a knife. Then tease the roots out so they will grow into the surrounding soil. Be careful not to knock too much soil from the root ball.Back fill with a mix of existing soil and 1/2 soil amendment thoroughly mixed. In sandy porous soils, use sphagnum (Canadian) peat moss. In dense clay or poorly drained soils, use soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark).Water thoroughly. Then only water when the soil is dry to the touch about 1 1/2 inches or knuckle deep. Check regularly and only water when necessary.To give your new plant a head start, use a very mild solution of water soluble root-stimulating fertilizer which is high in phosphorous and potassium.