how to grow hydrangeas

● Grow in a shaded spot – east, south or south-west aspects are ideal

● Water well in summer. Plants that dry out wilt, and their flowers may burn

● Plants growing in sunny spots need additional watering Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that grow and flower from the subtropics to the coolest gardens in Australia. Their ability to perform in the shade, and lack of pest or disease problems, makes them a wonderful asset in any garden. Here’s a checklist to follow to get the best from hydrangeas, new or old.

● Prune in autumn (after flowering) or in winter, cutting the flowered stems back to two plump buds

● Don’t prune stems that didn’t flower in the past summer

● Apply complete fertiliser in spring as new growth resumes