In spring hydrangeas will start to wake up from their winter dormancy and produce new growth.

This is the perfect time to remove any dead, damaged or weak stems. Your approach to pruning will differ depending on the type of hydrangea you have, so take caution.

For mophead and lacecap hydrangeas, which flower on older wood, avoid cutting the plant back too heavily as you could remove the buds that will produce this year's flowers. Instead, remove dead wood and cut the old flowerheads back to the first pair of strong, healthy buds beneath them.

Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens flower on new growth and can be pruned more heavily in early spring. You can generally cut them back to a framework of healthy buds that will encourage strong new stems and larger flowerheads.

Soil around your hydrangeas could also do with a boost around this time. Try applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture. It will also suppress weeds and keep the roots cool. Take care to ensure the mulch doesn't sit directly against the stems.

If you're growing a hydrangea in a container, check whether it needs repotting and make sure the pot has good drainage.

Don’t let your garden hydrangeas dry out, they simply don’t like it and it will stifle new growth and flower buds.

The warm temperatures in spring can make the soil dry out so you may need to increase watering, particularly for hydrangeas grown in pots.

Give your plant a thorough watering, it’s better than little amounts frequently. This encourages moisture to reach deeper into the soil and helps support a stronger root system.

If you're growing hydrangeas in containers, check them regularly as pots can dry out much faster than garden soil.

Summer is peak time for garden hydrangeas, with many varieties flowering from early or mid-summer onwards.

Keeping them consistently watered during this period is vital. Hydrangeas require a lot of water, so hot or dry weather can quickly leave their large leaves looking wilted.

The best time to water will be in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler, be sure to water deeply at the base of the plant. Avoid repeatedly wetting the foliage, as keeping leaves damp for long periods can encourage fungal problems.

Adding a layer of mulch around the base will also help slow moisture loss from the soil during warmer weather.

Consider the positioning of your hydrangeas too, they perform well in partial shade, where they receive plenty of light without being exposed to intense sunshine throughout the day. Too much direct sun can cause the leaves to scorch, particularly during periods of hot weather.

You might find that a little extra support is needed to stop the stems bending under the weight of the blooms if they are particularly large.

It isn’t essential to deadhead your hydrangeas in your garden, but it can help keep your plant looking tidy.

Don't be too hasty removing old flowerheads from mophead hydrangeas in autumn. Leaving them in place over winter can help protect the developing buds beneath from frost.

Instead, wait until early spring before removing the faded heads, cutting the stem back to the first strong pair of buds.

You can actually leave the dried flowerheads in place as they can provide attractive winter structure, particularly when covered in frost.

As temperatures begin to fall, your hydrangea will naturally start preparing for winter.

Continue to water during any dry spells. The aim here is to prevent the soil from becoming excessively dry without leaving the plant sitting in waterlogged conditions.

This is also a good time to tidy up around the base of the plant, removing fallen leaves or damaged foliage.

For mophead and lacecap varieties you’ll want to leave the old flowerheads in place over winter and carry out any necessary pruning in early spring.

Although hardy, hydrangeas can still benefit from a little protection to help them through particularly cold snaps.

The old flowerheads can provide some protection to the buds below, another great reason to leave them on mophead varieties until spring.

Hydrangeas in a container will need to be moved to a sheltered position, particularly if the pot is exposed to strong winds or severe frost. To avoid them getting waterlogged, ensure drainage holes remain clear.

Feeding isn’t required during winter so just allow it to rest until growth begins again in spring.

Keeping hydrangeas healthy isn’t rocket science. As long as they’re in the right position, consistently watered during dry periods and pruned according to their variety, they’ll be OK.

Do remember that not every hydrangea needs the same treatment. Mophead and lacecap varieties flower on older growth, while varieties such as Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens flower on new growth and can therefore be pruned differently.

If they look a little bare during winter don’t worry, they naturally lose their leaves before producing fresh foliage again in spring.

If you're looking for tips on how to care for cut hydrangeas, please visit: Hydrangeas