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Wales Online
11-08-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August
Hydrangeas will grow better flowers if you do one simple task in August Hydrangeas are hardy plants that do not need much care, but there is one simple gardening task that can ensure they continue to bloom beautifully for much longer Hydrangeas will grow even perkier flowers if one simple task is done in August (Image: Getty) Hydrangeas, robust as they are, typically require minimal maintenance, yet there's one thing they need for their delicate root systems - ample moisture. As rain is something Wales is currently lacking, one straightforward gardening chore can really help. Despite regular watering, hydrangeas can suffer in extreme heat, leading to wilting, underdeveloped blooms, or even halted growth. However, Skye Hamilton, affectionately dubbed the Hydrangea Queen and founder of Hamilton House Designs, has divulged a tip for safeguarding your hydrangeas. She explained: "Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important." The practice of mulching involves covering the soil around plants with a protective layer to shield them from the elements, particularly useful in summer to conserve soil moisture. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here A good mulch layer acts as a barrier against evaporation and also insulates the plant's roots, keeping them cool regardless of the soaring temperatures, reports the Express. This technique not only keeps hydrangeas looking vibrant and encourages flowering during intense heat but also prevents weeds from encroaching, reducing the need for additional gardening tasks. How to mulch hydrangeas in August Mulching is simple but helps the soil retain moisture to keep hydrangeas hydrated (Image: Getty) It's advisable to utilise a natural mulch known for its water-retention properties, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. These types of mulch not only keep hydrangeas hydrated but also decompose slowly, providing the plant with additional nutrients. Distribute a thin layer (approximately two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, taking care not to overdo it or create piles. Hydrangeas require ample moisture in August, but an excess can lead to stagnant water in the soil, which may attract pests and diseases. After applying the mulch, give the hydrangea a thorough watering. Article continues below This should enable it to flourish and produce large, fluffy flowers throughout August, rather than merely struggling to survive as it typically would.
Daily Record
11-08-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Get fluffier and perkier hydrangeas by doing one easy task this month
This gardening task will ensure your flowers continue to grow. Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers, but they need lots of hydration to thrive in the summer. To help them bloom beautifully during the warmer months, gardeners should follow this one simple task. Because there is typically much less rain in August, the pretty flowers can dry out quickly. Hydrangeas have sensitive roots that require a lot of moisture to stay healthy. Even if you water hydrangeas regularly, they can begin to wilt, produce smaller flowers, or even stop growing completely. According to Skye Hamilton, a gardener known as the Hydrangea Queen and the founder of Hamilton House Designs, there is a quick and easy way to protect hydrangeas from the heat and keep them hydrated. She said: 'Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important.' According to the Express, mulching is when gardeners cover a plant in material to protect it from the weather. In summer, it is usually done to keep more moisture in the soil. A layer of mulch slows down evaporation and also helps insulate the roots around a plant, keeping it cool no matter how hot it gets. This will help hydrangeas stay perky and flower no matter how intense the heat is. It will also block weeds from growing around hydrangeas, saving you time on extra gardening work. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. How to mulch hydrangeas in August It is better to use a natural mulch that is known to help lock water into the soil, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. These mulches will keep hydrangeas watered and also break down slowly to help feed the plant to give it more energy. Spread a thin layer (roughly two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, but do not spread too much or cause it to pile up. Hydrangeas need a lot of moisture in August, but too much will cause stagnant water in the soil, which can encourage pests and diseases. Water the hydrangea deeply after applying the mulch. It should thrive and keep growing big, fluffy flowers throughout August rather than struggle to survive like it normally would. Incorrect watering timing could be detrimental to hydrangeas, causing the flowers to wilt and droop.
