Is your new hydrangea in full leaf and flower? If so, it has been forced and it's a bit too early in the season for greenhouse-forced plants to thrive (or even survive) outdoors. These are best enjoyed as a houseplant until temperatures warm sufficiently for it to be transplanted outside. Even then, it requires a period of acclimation to get used to outdoor conditions.

As for planting conditions, there are various opinions as to the need for amendments. Generally, one should attempt to amend an entire planting area if necessary, rather than a individual planting hole, specially if you are working with clay soil. And rather than layering in different amendments, it is best to work the amendments into the soil so they become integrated. Layering the soil causes interface issues and can adversely affect drainage.

Hydrangeas like a rich, fertile, well-draining yet moisture retentive soil, so amending with compost (the whole planting area) is usually a good bet. Adding peat moss will increase soil acidity and tend to make blue hydrangeas bluer but is not a requirement. Place them where they will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

Gardening is a constant learning experience. If you don't succeed with this plant, don't give up - we all get better at as time goes on :-)

Thanks gardengal48, I will dig it back up then and put it in a pot. Would June be the best time to plant it in the ground, because that is when it would have naturally bloomed?

You don't need to wait until June. Especially since it gets pretty hot in Georgia, you'd probably do better planting it sooner than that. Don't worry, hydrangeas are pretty resilient, I think you picked a good plant to get yourself started. As long as you pick a nice, shady spot and give it plenty of water, it should do fine. It'll do even better if you add compost as suggested by Gardengal.

I don't know if you've browsed the forum list,but there is also a 'new to gardening' forum. You might learn of some easy 'beginner' plants to go with your hydrangea. Also, go to the forum for your region. I just love Texas Gardening. You might also actually get to know the people in your city area. It won't be hard to tell who's from where after you read for a bit. Good luck!

I am moderately new to gardening as well (within the last three years). I LOVE hydrangeas and I want the whole side of my house covered in them! As for worying about yours dying...my brother in law accidentally broke the top of my first one off for two years in a row!!! I am looking forward to actually having it bloom this year!!!

Thanks everyone!
Well I already dug it back up, should I plant it back? When should I plant a forced hydrangea? I mixed up the soil layers I had amended and will learn about starting a compost pile.

ann_in_houston, I looked around at some of the different forums but did not see those, I will look for them, thanks.

karri25, two times in a row! I would keep him far away from my hydrangeas in the future if I were you. Maybe he secretly does not like them?

Forced hydrangeas are far more sensitive to cold than those grown for outdoor conditions. You need to wait until all danger of frost in your area is passed and until nighttime temperatures remain above 50F. Allow a couple of days in a protected area for the plant to acclimate to outdoors before planting.

Having your own compost pile is a wonderful thing but you can buy bagged compost to keep you going until yours is ready or if it doesn't make enough. I go through so much compost each season I couldn't possibly make enough to supply all my needs so I buy bulk compost from a local municipal recycling organization - I order 10-15 yards at a time!

Well, actually he was in charge of mowing and weed-eating and did not-so-secretly hated all of my plants. But he is not allowed near our yard in that capacity this year! I am looking forward to seeing how nice they bloom!