Hydrangea – Several plants

Q: Is it possible to dig up a hydrangea and divide it into three our four other plants. Mine is rather large, about two feet around at the base.

A: Since your hydrangea is a woody plant, it normally does not produce “offsets” at its base like a hosta or daylily. Nonetheless, it sometimes develops root sprouts very close to the main trunk. These can be clipped from the mother plant and transplanted in early spring. If mulch is piled high at its base, stem sprouts may arise as well. These can be removed and transplanted too. Dig your shrub and wash most of the soil from the base to identify any likely candidates.