Hydrangea macrophylla Merveille Sanguine

To ensure your hydrangeas thrive, properly preparing the soil is crucial. Dig the soil deeply to a depth of 40 cm (15.7 in) X 40 cm (15.7 in) and add a base fertiliser. This will nourish the plant without causing any damage. Hydrangeas prefer to be grown in the sun or half shade, depending on the humidity of the soil. They also need a neutral to acidic soil. If your soil is dry, mix in a water retainer like stocksorb when planting and create a watering basin on the surface. 

Towards the end of the summer, avoid cutting the dry umbels as they protect the terminal shoots of the branches in winter. Instead, wait until the end of February or the first fine days of spring to cut all the dry flowers. 

If you're growing hydrangeas in pots, use pots that are deep enough (40 to 50 cm (15.7 to 19.7 in) deep), and water and fertilise them regularly. Use a good mix based on ericaceous soil, and add organic matter and a little garden soil to make your substrate less light. When planting in pots, two or three feet in a 50 cm (19.7 in) pot will look beautiful in the first year. White, red, and pink varieties are more likely to maintain their colour, as the water is often chalky. For blue varieties, use rainwater to water and a hydrangea alum-based blueing agent frequently. Using a hydrangea fertiliser is also strongly advised for optimal growth.