Planting

Where?  Except in hot and dry climates, where they require protection from the sun, these varieties can be planted in any exposure with cool soil, and will of course tolerate shade.  In ocean regions they are completely hardy, but in other areas, especially inland, they may require protection in winter.  They prefer good, rich, well-drained acidic garden soil (Ph below 7) over pure ericaceous soil.

When?  Cultivated in pots, these hydrangeas may be planted at any time of year (other than in frosty periods).  If planted in summer, take care to water often.

Containers  All of these hydrangea varieties lend themselves well to container growth as long as they receive adequate water and fertiliser.  Container-planted hydrangeas prefer shade or partial shade, for example against a north wall.

Maintenance 

Mulching  Rather than leaving the bare soil vulnerable to weed growth and dehydration, mulch around the foot of your hydrangeas with pine bark, dead leaves or compost.

Pruning  The golden rule of hydrangea pruning is to remove deadheads (at the end of winter) and to cut down old branches, which are recognisable by their cracked bark.

Colour  Other than the white varieties, hydrangea blossom colour depends on the acidity of the soil: pink or red flowers will come out as various darknesses of blue in soil having a Ph of less than 6 (you can obtain this level of acidity with aluminum sulfate, available in garden centres).