Hydrangeas give their best pink flowers when grown in soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Therefore, if you want to make sure that your hydrangeas flowers stay pink (and don’t turn mauve or blue), you will need to make sure that the soils pH does not slip below 6. The easiest way to do this (if necessary) is to apply an annual sprinkling of lime.

Improve the soil prior to planting by adding plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost, adding mycorrhizal fungi (Root grow) to aid establishment. Hydrangeas do not like to dry out so keep them well watered during hot, dry weather. If they do start to suffer, soak the roots with a hose and they will usually recover. Remove faded flowerheads in spring after the danger of frosts, cutting back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds. Take out misplaced or diseased shoots. Mulch young plants with well-rotted manure or compost in spring. Once established, remove a quarter to a third of the shoots to the base of the plant.

This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.