Hydrangea macrophylla are at their peak this month, their eye-catching mop-heads glowing in beds, borders and containers. Whether you have one potted shrub or a row along a border, they can put on a brilliant display with the right care.
Three essentials for summer hydrangeas
There are three key things to remember when caring for hydrangeas in summer. Feed once a month during the growing season with Vitax hydrangea feed. A scoop of the granular feed around the base of the shrub gives the plant a boost, keeps the foliage healthy and encourages more blooms.
Watering is not optional. Hydrangea is hydrangea by name and hydration by nature. A generous watering around the base, close to the roots, keeps both potted and ground-planted hydrangeas happy. Without enough water, the plant can droop and wilt.
Water in the evening for best results
The best time to water is in the evening, when the sun fades. At that point the water can sink deeply into the soil, letting the roots take maximum benefit from the moisture. A well-watered hydrangea looks marvellous even on the hottest summer day.
If the hydrangea is in a pot, it can be moved around the garden as the weather and seasons change, so it never becomes stressed by extreme conditions.
Give ground-planted shrubs shade
A ground-planted shrub should ideally have no more than about six hours of sunshine each day. This gives the blooms and leaves time to recover from hot summer days in shade, and reduces the risk of dehydration and wilting.
With these three steps, you can enjoy an impressive display every year. For hydrangeas, use promo code TMTAWTOM12 at Thompson & Morgan to get 12% off your order when you spend £20 or more.
