Here’s a complete guide to growing healthy hydrangeas at home.
POSITION hydrangeas in a location with semi-shade. They prefer moist conditions but tolerate full sun in cool areas and some do well in full shade.
Protect plants from northerly winds and strong afternoon sun, as this can burn the leaves and flowers.
Hydrangeas grow well in most free-draining soils but benefit from the addition of well-rotted compost, dug through before planting.
PLANT by digging a hole twice as wide and only as deep as the container the hydrangea came in.
Remove the plant from the container and gently tease out any parts of the rootball to encourage the root system to grow out into the soil in which it’s being planted.
Fill in the base of the hole enough for the soil level to match the area surrounding the new planting.
CARE for plants with deep watering once a week in warm weather. Apply a liquid fertiliser containing seaweed emulsion during the growing season or slow-release granules in June.
Mulch with well-rotted animal manure or sugar cane mulch to protect their fibrous roots, which grow close to the soil surface.
‘They’re excellent at telling you when they need a drink, as their large leaves fall and become limp as a result of thirst,’ says Anthony.
WATCH FOR the occasional caterpillar attack in spring and summer, and pick them off by hand.
Powdery mildew can be a real problem in hot humid conditions and for plants with erratic watering.
To prevent it, water regularly at soil level. For small amounts, just remove infected leaves.
Spray infestations with fungicide at the recommended rate, or a mix of one part milk to 10 parts water every 10 days.
PROPAGATE by snipping off softwood cuttings, the new growth, in spring. Remove most of the foliage but keep about two to four of the top leaves.
Dip the cut end of the softwood cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in a damp propagating mix.
After about five months they should have developed roots and can be planted into the garden in a spot with semi-shade.
Or grow in a pot for a season in a protected sunny spot.