Hydrangea Care: How to Keep Your Hydrangeas Blooming All Season

When you think of hydrangea, a popular flowering shrub known for its large, showy blooms that change color based on soil pH. Also known as hortensia, it's one of the most loved garden plants in the UK for its ability to bring bold color to shady spots all summer long. But getting hydrangeas to thrive isn’t just about planting them and walking away. They need the right soil, the right water, and the right trim at the right time.

hydrangea soil, the foundation for healthy blooms, must be rich in organic matter and well-draining. Also known as acidic or alkaline soil, depending on the color you want, it directly affects whether your flowers turn blue, pink, or purple. If your soil is too chalky, your hydrangeas will struggle—no matter how much you water them. Adding compost or peat moss helps, but you can’t fix bad soil with fertilizer alone. Then there’s hydrangea watering, a daily task during dry spells, especially for newly planted shrubs. These plants don’t like to dry out, but they also hate sitting in soggy ground. Rainfall in the UK helps, but in summer heatwaves, you’ll need to soak the roots deeply two or three times a week—never just a light sprinkle. And when it comes to hydrangea pruning, timing is everything. Cut too early, and you’ll lose next year’s flowers. Cut too late, and you’ll damage new growth. Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so you only need to remove dead stems in early spring. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so you can cut them back hard without worry.

You’ll find plenty of variation in the UK, from the classic blue mopheads to the cone-shaped panicles that stand tall in autumn. Some types handle frost better than others, and some prefer full sun while others wilt in the afternoon. The key is matching the variety to your garden’s conditions. If you’ve got a shady corner, go for bigleaf. If you want a low-maintenance hedge, try paniculata. And if your hydrangeas look tired, it’s rarely just one thing—it’s a mix of soil, water, and pruning habits.

Below, you’ll find real guides from UK gardeners who’ve figured out how to get their hydrangeas to burst with color year after year. Whether you’re dealing with yellowing leaves, poor blooms, or winter damage, there’s a solution here—no guesswork needed.