MASS APPEAL

HYDRATION KEY FOR DISPLAY OF HEALTHY HYDRANGEAS

- DIARMUID GAVIN

AS a gardener, I get asked lots of questions, and hydrangeas are a regular topic - how to prune them and how to keep the flowers blue being the most frequent queries.

I think this reflects the popularity of this shrub - in general, they are easy to grow once planted in the right spot and the beauty and profusion of their flower heads in full blossom is hard to beat.

Their season is in full swing now and they can be seen adorning the front of coastal houses, gracing the most sophisticated urban gardens as well as being a staple of your granny's garden.

In summer the main job is to keep them well hydrated.

Their name derives from hydra, which is Greek for water, and they really resent dryness at the roots.

They need adequate moisture to thrive and in many cases to form next year's flowering buds.

So if you are growing them in containers, you should be extra vigilant during dry periods.