Hydrangeas are hardy plants that usually do not need more care, but there is one simple gardening task that can ensure they continue to bloom beautifully for much longer. August can be quite a dry month when there is much less rain, and even hosepipe bans in some places, but hydrangeas have sensitive roots that require a lot of moisture to stay healthy. 

These plants are known to dry out easily in really hot weather, and even if you are watering hydrangeas regularly they can begin to wilt, produce stunted flowers or even stop growing completely. However, Skye Hamilton, a gardener known as the Hydrangea Queen and the founder of Hamilton House Designs has shared that one way to protect hydrangeas from the heat and keep them hydrated is to mulch them. 

She said, “Mulching hydrangeas is super beneficial for retaining moisture, retaining nutrients, and feeding the soil. Hydrangeas have wide, shallow roots, so finding the right mulch is very important.” 

Mulching is when gardeners cover a plant in material to protect them from the weather, and in summer it is usually done to keep more moisture in the soil. 

A layer of mulch slows down evaporation and also helps insulate the roots around a plant, keeping it cool no matter how hot it gets. 

This will help hydrangeas stay perky and flower no matter how intense the heat is. It will also block weeds from growing around hydrangeas, saving you time on extra gardening work.

How to mulch hydrangeas in August 

It is better to use a natural mulch that is known to help lock water into the soil, such as pine, cedar, bark chips, pine straw or leaf mulch. 

These mulches will keep hydrangeas watered and also break down slowly to help feed the plant to give it more energy. 

Spread a thin layer (roughly two to four inches thick) around a hydrangea plant, but do not spread too much or cause it to pile up. 

Hydrangeas need a lot of moisture in August, but too much will cause stagnant water in the soil, which can encourage pests and diseases. 

Water the hydrangea deeply after applying the mulch. It should thrive and keep growing big, fluffy flowers throughout August rather than struggle to survive like it normally would.