Hydrangeas in the UK: Best Care, Growing Tips, and Pairing Ideas
When you think of hydrangeas, large, showy flowering shrubs that change color based on soil acidity. Also known as hortensias, they’re one of the most popular garden plants in the UK because they bloom reliably even in shady spots and add serious color from summer through fall. Unlike many flowers that need full sun, hydrangeas do best with morning light and afternoon shade—perfect for UK weather where hot midday sun can scorch their big leaves.
What makes hydrangeas special isn’t just their looks—it’s how much control you have over their color. If you want blue blooms, your soil needs to be acidic (pH below 5.5). Add aluminum sulfate or used coffee grounds to lower the pH. Want pink? Keep the soil alkaline with garden lime. It’s not magic—it’s chemistry you can manage with a simple soil test. And yes, soil pH, a measure of how acidic or alkaline garden soil is, directly affecting nutrient availability is the key. Most people don’t realize their hydrangeas aren’t failing—they’re just in the wrong soil. Even garden shrubs, woody plants that stay low to the ground and provide structure in landscaping like boxwood or rhododendron can help create the right microclimate for hydrangeas to thrive.
You don’t need a huge garden to grow them. Varieties like ‘Endless Summer’ and ‘Nikko Blue’ are bred for UK conditions and bloom on old and new wood, so you won’t lose flowers if you prune wrong. Pruning? Only cut back dead stems in early spring. Leave the rest alone—they’ll flower on last year’s growth. Pair them with ferns, hostas, or low-growing perennials for texture. They also look great near pathways or in containers on patios. And if you’ve ever seen a hydrangea that looked dull or small? Chances are it’s not getting enough water. They’re thirsty plants, especially in dry spells. Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and moist.
What you’ll find in this collection isn’t just how to grow hydrangeas—it’s how to make them work in your real garden. From using compost to improve heavy clay soil, to choosing the right spot in a shady backyard, to combining them with artificial grass for low-maintenance beauty. These posts give you practical steps, not theory. No fluff. Just what works in UK gardens, year after year.