How to Care for Your Hydrangeas in the Summer

Hydrangeas are one of the South’s favorite summer staples — and for good reason. Their big, bold blooms feel like a reward for surviving spring's hustle. But once the heat kicks in, even these beauties can start to struggle if they’re not properly cared for.

At Brawley Seed Co., I get a lot of summer questions about droopy leaves, color fade, or “why is it not blooming again?” So here’s a summer care guide for two of the most common types we see here in Mooresville: panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) and bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Panicle Hydrangea Summer Care Tips for North Carolina Gardens

Think: Limelight, Little Lime, Pinky Winky, Vanilla Strawberry

These guys are your heat-and-sun champs. They can handle full sun better than any other hydrangea type, and their cone-shaped blooms are a showstopper from mid summer into fall.

Summer Care Tips:

• Water deeply, but not constantly. About 1" per week is good. Give the soil time to dry slightly between deep waterings.

• Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and moist — aim for 2–3 inches. Just make sure you’re not piling mulch up around the stems like a volcano — that traps moisture and can lead to root rot. Always keep mulch pulled slightly back from the crown of the plant.

• Prune in late winter or early spring. They bloom on new wood, so summer is not the time to cut them back.

• Fertilize lightly with a balanced slow-release food in early summer if you didn’t in spring — overfeeding can lead to leggy growth.

  

Panicle hydrangeas love the heat, so summer care is mostly about making sure they don’t dry out during long dry spells.

Bigleaf Hydrangeas (H. macrophylla)

Think: Endless Summer, BloomStruck, Nikko Blue, Let's Dance series

These are the classic mophead or lacecap hydrangeas with big, round blooms — and the ones most people think of when they think “Hydrangea.” But they’re a little more finicky in the southern summer.

Summer Care Tips:

• Morning sun, afternoon shade is ideal. Too much direct sun = scorched leaves and droopy blooms.

• Water consistently. Bigleaf types are thirstier than panicles and can wilt quickly in heat. Try to water at the base, not over the leaves.

• Mulch generously to keep moisture in and soil temps down. But avoid burying the base! Keep mulch pulled away from where the stems meet the soil to prevent rot and allow for air circulation.

• Don’t prune in summer. They bloom on old wood, so pruning now means you’ll cut off next year’s flowers.

• Deadhead spent blooms if you like, but avoid major cutting.

  
  
  

  

  

Bonus Tip: If you want to adjust bloom color:

• Blue = more acidic soil (add aluminum sulfate)

• Pink = more alkaline soil (add lime)

But don’t expect fast results — soil chemistry takes time to shift.

Stunning Summer Crush Hydrangea grown by our greenhouse manager Desta Stutts.

General Summer Hydrangea Tips (All Types)

• Protect from hot wind and reflected heat. Hydrangeas near pavement or walls may suffer in peak afternoon sun.

• No shearing! Resist the urge to “tidy up” with hedge trimmers — it’ll ruin the natural shape and possibly your next bloom cycle.

• If it’s drooping mid-day, check soil moisture first. Wilting is often just a sign of heat stress — not necessarily dry soil.

Hydrangeas are dramatic, yes — but they’re also resilient if you understand their needs. Whether you’ve got a row of panicles blooming like fireworks or a shady nook full of bigleaf color, a little summer TLC will keep them healthy and blooming year after year.

Need help figuring out what type you have or where to plant one? Swing by Brawley Seed Co. and we'll talk hydrangeas with you all day. We’ve got fresh stock and southern-grown favorites in bloom now.

Life's a garden, dig it!

Kari