What to do with hydrangeas in May – 4 tasks that will give the blooms a boost and bolster your shrub's resilience

Seating area in the garden surrounded by trees and flowerbeds with white and green hydrangeas. Interior designer Susan Hoodless and Erskine Berry's renovated four storey terraced west London home.

It won't be long before hydrangeas burst into bloom, but to help them stay their best, it’s worth knowing what to do with hydrangeas in May.

Figuring out the best time to plant hydrangeas is one thing, but if you've already got a shrub in the garden, this month is all about supporting them ahead of their flowering period. You'll need to exercise some caution around pruning (more on that shortly), but go heavier on the watering, for a start.