The best location for hydrangeas to flower all summer long and how to revive floppy blooms & crispy petals

The Sun

11-07-2025

HYDRANGEAS can bloom beautifully all summer – but only if they're planted in the right spot, experts have revealed.
And as temperatures rise to 32C, knowing exactly where to place these show-stopping shrubs could be the difference between lush flowers and a drooping disaster.
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In the UK, gardeners are being urged to put hydrangeas somewhere they'll receive morning sun and afternoon shade, ideally close to a building or wall.
That's because the spot helps them thrive while also protecting them from extreme heat and unpredictable spring frosts.
Ann Marie, a gardening writer, said that hydrangeas 'often grow best next to a building or wall where the radiated heat helps safeguard new growth from frosts in spring."
However, she warned: 'It's important to make sure the soil doesn't get too dry in summer."
With temperatures expected to soar to 31C this week and a yellow heat health alert in place across England, it's more important than ever to keep these blooms hydrated and sheltered.
For those keen to keep their hydrangeas bright blue, Ann Marie has a clever soil tip.
She explained: 'The flower colour of hydrangeas depends strongly on soil pH, so to keep those blooms a lovely vibrant blue it's essential to grow them in acidic soil or compost below pH6.2.'
And it doesn't have to cost the earth.
She added: 'Used coffee grounds make a great moisture-retentive, weed-suppressing mulch that shouldn't raise the pH.'
I tried 'magic' Lidl garden hose - you need to get it, it's perfect for summer
Meanwhile, over on social media, a flurry of advice has been shared by green-fingered fans trying to revive bargain-bin hydrangeas with sad, floppy stems.
One Facebook user posted: 'Looking for advise please, I bought this yesterday reduced hoping to revive it – any ideas please?'
Fellow gardeners were quick to offer their tried-and-tested methods.
One replied: 'Keep it in the shade and soak it in a container of water.'
Another suggested: 'Water the roots – soak them for a good 20 minutes but not the flowers.'
A third added: 'I bought one reduced last year from B&M …I snipped off the dried dead bits, soaked the root ball for an hour, repotted with John Innes and put it in a light but shady location.
"It's now thriving and grown so much.'
Another fan favourite trick included: 'Dig a hole and water the hole. Mix in bonemeal – you can get it at the garden centre or Proper Job.
"They thrive on it. Don't overwater, but soak before planting.'
It comes as flower fans were also wowed by a TikTok from Miller Flowers, a popular duo of flower farmers who've gone viral for their blooming clever tips.
Their top three pieces of advice are simple but effective: water well, position wisely, and feed carefully.
They recommend watering hydrangeas three times a week for ten minutes – especially vital during the summer heat.
For those in pots, a little less water is needed, but consistency is key.
The sisters say: 'Hydrangeas are plants that love water,' and remind gardeners to water at the base, not over the flower heads.
When it comes to where you plant them, they back up Ann Marie's tip: hydrangeas do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.
This balance allows them to get the light they need to grow, but also avoid drying out in harsh heat.
A little fertiliser can help them bloom longer, but too much can do more harm than good – especially if it leads to pests targeting their soft leaves.
They recommend watering established hydrangeas three times a week for ten minutes at the base – especially vital in the summer heat.
Plants in pots may need a little less, but keeping a consistent routine is key to healthy growth.
Positioning also plays a part. 'Hydrangeas need both sun and shade,' the sisters say, echoing what UK experts have advised.
A spot with morning sunlight and afternoon shade helps them grow strong without getting scorched.
Feeding the plants can also help in warmer climates.
A balanced fertiliser can boost flower production, but the sisters warn not to overdo it, as too much can attract pests and weaken the plant.
July gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to tackle this July in your garden.
1. Prune Wisteria
You should only prune back Wisteria twice a year - and July - or mid summer - is one of those times. After flowering cut back long side shoots to around seven buds.five or six leaves.
2. Pinch out tomatoes
Your tomatoes should be really picking up - so pinch out all the side shoots without flowers - and remove all the leaves that are shading the tomatoes - this will give them maximum light and energy.
3. Keep weeding
Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep your weeds under check.
4. Feed Dahlias
To keep Dahlias flowering until Autumn, you must keep feeding them weekly with a liquid fertliser high in potassium - which encourages blooms.
5. Keep deadheading plants
Keep up with deadheading your bedding plants and perennials - so they keep coming back for the season. With roses make sure you're deadheading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of them flowering again.
6. Check on your pond
If you're lucky enough to have a pond - make sure it's clear of algae, which can really bloom when the sun beats down.
7. Feed your lawn
Whether that's with a liquid feed or granules. If you've chosen granules try to get them down before the rain comes, so they soak into the soil.
8. Tend to strawberry plants
Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after you've picked them - leaving the crown untouched - which should help with next years fruit.
9. Sow extra seeds
July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sunshine is great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas.
10. Move young plants into soil
Get any young plants you've got left in the greenhouse - like courgettes - into the soil.
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