A long, hot summer can take its toll on our favourite plants – and while hydrangeas are considered hardy perennials, they're one of the first flowers to show signs of stress in the heat.
Come August, they may need a little extra attention to protect next year's blooms and ensure they return looking their best.
"August might feel like the point when hydrangeas have done their thing for the year, but it's actually one of the most important months if you want bigger, better flowers next summer," Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys, explains.
"By August, most gardeners are focused on enjoying the blooms they've got, but this is really when you're helping next year's display take shape.
Taking the time to give your hydrangeas a little extra attention this August will help them thrive next year.
"The jobs are pretty simple, but getting them right now can make a noticeable difference to the number and size of flowers you see next year," Luke explains.
These are 5 essential jobs to do in August for big, beautiful blooms next year.
1. Check which type you have
Before doing anything else, it's worth identifying your hydrangea variety. "I always tell people not to assume all hydrangeas should be treated the same," Luke explains.
"Some can cope with more pruning, while others are already forming next year's flower buds, so cutting them back at the wrong time can leave you wondering where all the flowers have gone.
"In particular, popular mophead and lacecap hydrangeas produce next year's blooms on old stems, so they need a gentler approach."
2. Give faded flowers a tidy-up
If some flowerheads are looking past their best, you can lightly deadhead them.
"I like to remove flowers that are looking tired or brown, but I never get carried away," Luke explains. "You want to tidy the plant without removing the stems that could be carrying next year's buds. If you're unsure, err on the side of caution and leave more than you remove."
3. Thin out older stems
Mature hydrangeas can become crowded over time, which can affect flowering, so rather than chopping the whole plant back, I prefer to remove one or two of the oldest stems at the base, Luke tells us.
He adds: "It's a simple way to encourage fresh growth and keep the shrub productive without sacrificing next year's flowers."
4. Keep watering, even if the weather cools
"Hydrangeas are notorious for drooping when they're thirsty, but watering remains important long after the hottest days of summer," Luke continues.
"A lot of people stop paying attention once the flowers are out, but August is no time to let hydrangeas dry out
"If the plant is stressed now, it has less energy available to put into developing strong buds for next year. A deep soak once or twice a week during dry spells is far more beneficial than little and often watering."
5. Add a mulch around the base
One of the easiest jobs you can do in August is apply a mulch of compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure.
"I'm a huge fan of mulching hydrangeas, as it helps lock moisture into the soil, suppresses weeds and gradually improves the growing conditions around the roots. Make sure to spread it around the base of the plant, leaving a small gap around the stems."
And one final note on caring for hydrangeas...
Put the secateurs away! "Perhaps the most important advice of all is knowing when to stop!" Luke tells us.
"Honestly, the biggest mistake I see at this time of year is enthusiastic pruning. People want everything to look neat and tidy before autumn arrives, but with many hydrangeas you're potentially removing next year's flowers.
"If your plant is healthy, it's often best to leave major pruning until the correct time for that specific variety."
Summer gardening edit
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