Bring 'near-dead' hydrangeas back to life and save your garden at the same time

There’s nothing more heart breaking than seeing your lovingly-grown hydrangeas wilt prematurely – luckily, there are ways to revive them. While hydrangeas are considered relatively easy to grow, they can start to droop if they’re not taken care of properly.

Most hydrangeas require regular watering and occasional feeding – but in hot, dry weather, like the heatwaves the UK has recently experienced, they may need more moisture than usual. Even, aside from the weather, hydrangeas can be vulnerable to attacks from both pests and diseases, which can damage their leaves and stunt their growing process.

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So, how do you perk your flowers back up when nature has dealt them a harsh blow? Gardening expert Mary Marlowe Leverette from The Spruce suggests intervening using several easy steps.

Firstly, you should check moisture levels. Hydrangeas are thirsty plants, but it is possible to overwater – especially in clay-based, slow-draining soil. Key signs that you are overwatering include leaf drop and browned leaf edges.

For this reason, you should check the soil’s moisture levels before going in with your watering can. Mary advises: “If the soil is dry about an inch or more deep, it's safe to add more water.”

On the flipside, if hydrangeas are dehydrated you may see symptoms such as droopy leaves. In this case, the plant is in need of watering. Mary also suggests using a drip irrigation method to allow a constant supply of water into the soil.

Equally, you should make sure that your hydrangeas are suitably located. They grow best when they receive a healthy dose of morning sun, but are shaded from the afternoon’s heat.

Another step you can take to improve your hydrangeas is to protect them from pests. Slugs and snails pose a particular problem, as they enjoy munching on your plant’s leaves and can leave them riddled with holes.

Luckily, there are several ways to deter them. One easy method is to set up a beer trap by filling an empty container with beer and allowing slugs to drown in it.

Hydrangea leaves can be susceptible to fungal diseases like powdered mildew. To help keep it at bay, you should prune your hydrangeas regularly to improve air circulation around the plant.

If you do spot any leaves or petals that have been afflicted by the mildew, Mary says to make sure to remove them and dispose of them in a plastic bag.

Overusing fertiliser can also pose a problem, as it can burn the root system and cause leaves to droop and die. If you’ve been using a water soluble fertiliser, it may be possible to flush the excess away.

Lastly, if you’ve moved your hydrangea to a new location, it may undergo transplant shock, which can result in wilting leaves. In this case, Mary urges gardeners to “water deeply” once a day and to “mulch around it” to preserve moisture.