Caring for Your Hydrangeas19 October 2025Caring for Your Hydrangeas - Key Care Tips Lanarkshire Hydrangeas are among the most rewarding garden plants, offering large, showy blooms from early summer through to autumn. To keep them at their best, plant hydrangeas in well-drained soil enriched with compost, and choose a spot with morning sun and light afternoon shade. Avoid planting in areas that become waterlogged during winter. Water regularly, especially in warm or dry spells, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy. A layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture and protect roots. Feed once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertiliser to support strong growth and vibrant flowers. Pruning depends on the type — mophead and lacecap varieties should be trimmed in spring, removing only old flower heads and weak stems, while paniculata and arborescens types can be cut back more firmly to encourage fresh flowering wood. If you want to adjust the colour of your blooms, remember that acidic soil (pH below 6) turns flowers blue, while alkaline soil (pH above 7) brings pink tones. Protect your hydrangeas from frost by covering young shoots in early spring, and they’ll continue to brighten your garden year after year with their generous, long-lasting blooms.