Mid-June and the Mood of the Hydrangea – How to Keep Yours Thriving as the Season Shifts
There’s a particular feel to the garden in mid-June. Spring’s softness has hardened a touch, the air grows heavier, and that dependable rhythm of regular rainfall starts to skip. It’s the season of longer days and shorter showers—a time when the garden begins to ask different things of us.
And if you grow hydrangeas, now’s the moment to listen closely.
When Lush Becomes Limp – A Familiar Sight
Last week, I forgot to water one of mine. A lovely potted mophead that had come through spring with real flair. I’d been busy, the skies had been dry, and well… by the time I noticed, the poor thing looked utterly defeated. Leaves drooped like wet laundry, colour drained, that fresh June energy gone. But here’s the magic: one deep drink later and by morning, it was back—leaf colour restored, form recovered, as if nothing had happened.
Hydrangeas might look dramatic when stressed, but they’re surprisingly forgiving if you catch them in time.
Hydrangeas and Water: More Art than Science
Despite their name—hydra-ngea—these plants don’t necessarily want wet feet all the time. What they do need is consistent moisture. In most shady or semi-shaded gardens, you’re probably fine through May. But as June wears on and rainfall retreats, it’s time to switch gears.
In the ground? Water deeply, not frequently. Let it soak in slowly, once or twice a week depending on your soil type and weather. Morning is best—before the sun pushes its way overhead.
In containers? Keep a close eye. Pots dry out faster, especially terracotta. I now check mine with a finger pressed an inch down—dry? It’s time to water. And don’t be afraid to water from below—let the pot sit in a tray of water for half an hour now and then. It encourages the roots to reach down.
A layer of mulch around the base helps enormously—whether bark, compost, or leaf mould. It keeps the soil cool, suppresses weeds, and reduces evaporation.
Feeding: Gentle Encouragement, Not a Push
June is also a good time for a balanced feed, especially if your hydrangeas are still sizing up for their summer performance. Use a fertiliser with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (something like a 10-10-10) or one with a little extra potassium to encourage flowering.
But don’t go overboard. Overfeeding can lead to lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers—and in some cases, salt buildup in the soil that causes more harm than good. Less is often more.
Pruning in June: Think Tidy, Not Radical
If your hydrangea’s carrying dried heads from last year, or a few leaves look weather-beaten, feel free to tidy up. But resist the urge to prune hard—especially on varieties like Hydrangea macrophylla or Hydrangea serrata, which bloom on old wood. A deep cut now could cost you this year’s display.
You can safely remove dead stems and faded blooms, but for shaping and rejuvenation, wait until late winter or early spring, depending on your type.
Signs of Stress – and How to Respond
Mid-June often brings heat spikes, and hydrangeas will tell you when they’re struggling:
Leaf curl or browning edges often signals heat stress or under-watering.
Sticky residue and curled new growth may point to aphids or spider mites, especially in dry spells.
Yellowing leaves could indicate overwatering or poor drainage.
If in doubt, observe and adjust. A wilting plant at 3 p.m. may look perfectly content by 8 p.m. Some stress is temporary. Consistent neglect, though, is not.
A Garden Companion Worth Watching
Hydrangeas aren’t just a plant—they’re a presence. They anchor corners, soften fences, offer colour in shade. They’re generous, forgiving, and expressive. When they’re happy, you’ll know. When they’re unhappy, they’ll let you know too. It’s a relationship of give and take.
I walk past mine most evenings. Not to inspect, just to notice. The way the leaves catch the low light. The shape of a forming bud. Sometimes that simple act tells me everything I need to do—or not do.
If your hydrangeas are misbehaving, or blooming beautifully, I’d love to hear. Pop a comment below or share a photo of what yours are up to this week.
If you’re a gardener—whether you’re deep into shade, just getting started, or gardening in a little village plot—I’d love to invite you to join the community. You’ll find us chatting daily in the Shade Gardening Group, the Gardening with Marcus Group, and the local Bishops Cleeve Gardeners Group.
And if you fancy something a bit quieter, where you can settle in with a cuppa, I send out a gentle weekly letter called Dappled Thoughts. It’s full of seasonal musings, extra tips, and the kind of gardening reflections that don’t always fit on Facebook.
You can sign up here if you’d like to receive it.
Happy Gardening.