You can do it but the hydrangeas will be risky. You have to vigilant about watering. Drip hoses are better for shrubs while soaker hoses are best for perennials. They need to be maintained so it’s not a set it and forget it by any means. Sometimes animals will bite them and create damage. Planting in this heat is possible but not ideal. I’ve done it but I know not everything will make it. Better success rate in September.

Anonymous wrote:Don't water new bushes everyday. You could kill them. Water a little twice a week.

No this is not right. Nursery plants are grown in 1-5 gallon pots in potting soil. The potting soil is designed to dry out very quickly. The plants at the nursery get watered once or twice a day. When planted surrounding soil(ground) can suck the water out of the potting soil. The plants root system is only as big as the pot in was grown in and the plant is use to getting water every day. A hydrangea will need water almost everyday. Boxwood less but still needs watering. You do not drown the plants- ie water in the bottom of the hole but the plants will need water with these hot days.

Anonymous wrote:We have been waiting to re-landscape the front of our house and finally found a great landscaping company to do it. I assumed they would think it’s best to plant everything in the fall vs summer, but they are telling me it’s fine to replant everything in the next couple weeks. We are planting hydrangea, boxwoods and some Japanese willows.

Are we crazy to do this now instead of waiting until the fall? The landscaper does guarantee their plants for a year, but still don’t want to do with chasing them down to replace dead plants.

Do they guarantee the plants if they are not watered properly? You can plant during the summer but you need to water. Like every day or two depending on the plants and the right amount of water depending on the plant. Forget for a few days in 90 plus degree weather and they will die.

I use to put a temporary drip irrigation system with a timer in when planting in the summer. Maybe lose one or two plants out of 700.

Don't water new bushes everyday. You could kill them. Water a little twice a week.

OP there are some plants that you can’t get in the fall.
Just remember that the same plants that you buy in September are presently sitting out in the sun on a slab at the nursery. Only difference is that they are watering them for you.
Go ahead and plant away but you must water.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s totally fine you just need to water them a lot well into the fall, and keep an eye on them next spring/summer for more extra watering.

PS if you haven’t done a lot of gardening before, it’s worth setting up a bunch of drip hoses and a timer. You can pull them up in the fall and get by with hand watering next year. But if you’re planting new plants now and you don’t want to get up early and stand around with a hose, do the drip hoses. They’ll work much better. You want a slow flow over a longer period if you can get it. Or you could use a sprinkler, but the drip hoses would be what I would do for sure.

What is the source of water for your drip line? Does it attach to the hose bib outside or do you have some other source?

A hose bib. I have high water pressure, so I also attach a regulator. It might not be necessary depending on your set up.

Use teflon tape for every connection.
I start with a hose splitter so I can still have a normal hose attached.
Then a timer (any kind)
Then a pressure regulator like this https://www.amazon.com/Senninger-Pressure-Regulator-Irrigation-Reducer/dp/B076BZ4GJJ
Then drip hose(s).

The pressure regulator is crucial if you're doing plastic tubing and drip emitters, but maybe it doesn't matter for the drip hoses. I don't know. But I think drip hoses would be easier for the OP because she can just wind them around all the new shrubs and she only needs them for a season. She could cover them with mulch for aesthetics if she wants.

I have a drip line for my veggie garden that I attach to the hose bib. I have a short line of regular hose from the bid to the edge of the garden, then start the drip line. Works well.

You can plant any time the ground is not frozen. You may get quicker attention and better prices in non-peak season as well. As mentioned, it will just be critical to get enough water (but not too much) during the hot summer months. You'll probably want to get a cheap moisture probe to help keep an eye on it. I have planted a MASSIVE amount of stuff over the past eight years and have had a small degree of failure both ways (too little water, too much water).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s totally fine you just need to water them a lot well into the fall, and keep an eye on them next spring/summer for more extra watering.

PS if you haven’t done a lot of gardening before, it’s worth setting up a bunch of drip hoses and a timer. You can pull them up in the fall and get by with hand watering next year. But if you’re planting new plants now and you don’t want to get up early and stand around with a hose, do the drip hoses. They’ll work much better. You want a slow flow over a longer period if you can get it. Or you could use a sprinkler, but the drip hoses would be what I would do for sure.

What is the source of water for your drip line? Does it attach to the hose bib outside or do you have some other source?

I planted a hydrangea in mid June and it immediately went into shock. Plenty of water. I hope it comes back next year

Anonymous wrote:It’s totally fine you just need to water them a lot well into the fall, and keep an eye on them next spring/summer for more extra watering.

PS if you haven’t done a lot of gardening before, it’s worth setting up a bunch of drip hoses and a timer. You can pull them up in the fall and get by with hand watering next year. But if you’re planting new plants now and you don’t want to get up early and stand around with a hose, do the drip hoses. They’ll work much better. You want a slow flow over a longer period if you can get it. Or you could use a sprinkler, but the drip hoses would be what I would do for sure.

It’s totally fine you just need to water them a lot well into the fall, and keep an eye on them next spring/summer for more extra watering.

We have been waiting to re-landscape the front of our house and finally found a great landscaping company to do it. I assumed they would think it’s best to plant everything in the fall vs summer, but they are telling me it’s fine to replant everything in the next couple weeks. We are planting hydrangea, boxwoods and some Japanese willows.

Are we crazy to do this now instead of waiting until the fall? The landscaper does guarantee their plants for a year, but still don’t want to do with chasing them down to replace dead plants.