Gardening expert says easy task now will help hydrangeas 'bounce back' next year
by Catherine Addison-Swan, Angela Patrone · ChronicleLiveThe colours in your garden may be dying off as the weather grows colder, but there is still important work to do before winter sets in to ensure you get beautiful blooms next year.
Hydrangeas are a classic choice in many borders and pots, bringing big bursts of colour to your garden throughout the dreary autumn days. However, if you want to see your hydrangeas come "bouncing back" just as lovely again in 2025, you will need to put in some special care now to help them survive the harsh winter weather, according to a gardening expert.
David Denyer, florist at Eflorist and former gold medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, told The Express that one thing is "particularly important" when it comes to caring for hydrangeas no matter which variety you have in your garden. He explained: "These plants are famous for their large, showy blooms, which require a lot of moisture.
"So, before winter sets in, give your hydrangeas a good drink - thorough watering before the ground freezes ensures that the plants are well-hydrated going into the colder months," David advised. "This is particularly important as hydrangeas enter dormancy as a well-watered plant is much better equipped to handle the stress of winter."
While it may seem unusual to water your garden when most plants are turning brown and the weather is already rather wet, giving the soil around your hydrangeas a thorough soak to ensure water reaches the roots is essential. David promised: "This simple step can make a noticeable difference in how your hydrangeas weather the winter and bounce back come next spring with larger blooms."
Another measure you can take to see your hydrangeas through winter is mulching - spreading a thick layer of material on top of the soil to help it retain water and nutrients. Experts at the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society also recommend mulching in the autumn as plants are dying back, saying it protects the roots of your plants from winter frost, deters pests and suppresses weeds.
David said: "I recommend using organic materials like shredded leaves, pine bark or wood chips. Applying a thick layer of mulch - about two to three inches - around the base of your hydrangeas can help protect their roots from freezing temperatures.
"Just make sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems themselves to prevent moisture from building up against them, which can lead to rot."
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
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.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community