The secret to growing your best hydrangeas ever

Our mild, damp climate suits them perfectly, which is why they’ve become such a fixture of gardens here.

Hydrangea Paniculata Lime Light. They cope with more sun than mopheads and are ideal if your garden is a bit more exposed.  Picture: iStock

It’s hard to think of a plant that sums up late summer and autumn quite like the hydrangea. You only have to walk down any road or glance into a front garden at this time of year to see them in their full summer glory, dripping with big blooms in every shade from soft pink to vivid blue. They’re as much a part of our landscape as old stone walls and grassy lanes, bringing a gentle sense of familiarity that feels like home.

Whenever I ask my garden design clients about any particular plants that they may like or dislike, I am normally met with quite a vague response, such as “I really like most plants” or “there’s not really any that I do or don’t like”. But say the word hydrangeas and people's reaction is immediate. They will either say “I love hydrangeas” or “No, I don’t want any in my garden”. Why such strong feelings, I have no idea, perhaps it's because they remind us of the past, for they are a really traditional plant in many Irish gardens.