Hydrangeas are famous for their generous blooms, and with good reason. When those big heads open in early to mid‑summer, they instantly give a garden a feeling of abundance, even if the rest of the planting is quite simple. Whether you favour the rounded domes of mopheads or the elegant cones of panicles, the flowerheads shift gently in the breeze and slowly change tone as they age. It’s the sort of display that looks just as good from the kitchen window as it does when you’re sitting out on the patio with a cup of tea.
Common name: Hydrangea
Latin name: Hydrangea
Size in UK gardens: Most shrubby hydrangeas grow to around 1–2.5m tall and wide in time, depending on species and variety, with compact forms staying closer to 1m and larger types forming good‑sized shrubs.
Best position: Partial shade suits most, with morning sun and afternoon shade ideal; panicle and smooth hydrangeas will also cope with more sun if the soil stays reliably moist.
Soil: Moist but well‑drained, reasonably fertile soil with plenty of organic matter; they dislike drought and thin, stony ground but also resent sitting in cold, airless waterlogging.
Flowering time: Big rounded or conical flowerheads from early to mid‑summer through to early autumn, often holding their shape as attractive, fading heads into winter.
Fragrance: Most garden hydrangeas are not strongly scented; they’re grown chiefly for their generous flowerheads and leafy presence.
Hardiness: Generally hardy throughout the UK once established; flower buds on some big‑leaf types can be nipped by late frosts, but the shrubs themselves are usually tough, especially paniculata and arborescens forms.
Care level: Moderate; they’re forgiving if the soil stays moist and pruning is done sensibly, with just a little extra attention needed in pots or in very cold, exposed spots.
Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.
Planting time: As container‑grown shrubs, hydrangeas can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and early autumn usually giving the smoothest establishment.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist while plants are establishing, especially in light soils or during hot, breezy spells. Even once established, they do not enjoy bone‑dry conditions, so be prepared to water in prolonged drought.
Feeding: A mulch of garden compost or well‑rotted manure in spring is usually enough on decent soils. On poorer ground, a light application of a balanced fertiliser in spring – and possibly again in early summer – helps support good flowering without making growth too lush.
Pruning: Pruning depends on the type, but most shrubby hydrangeas are pruned in late winter or early spring. Typically, you remove old flowerheads and dead wood and, if needed, thin out some of the oldest stems to encourage fresh growth. Always check the variety label for whether it flowers on old or new wood.
Winter: Established plants in the ground usually need no special protection beyond a mulch in colder gardens. Leaving the old flowerheads in place over winter helps shield tender buds; potted plants are more vulnerable and benefit from a sheltered position when frost is forecast.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
