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Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, and I take great pride in having a row of these delicate beauties in my front yard. In fact, they have been known to turn a few of my neighbors’ heads as they walk by.I usually find them easy to care for, if I water them consistently and prune them when needed, but just right now, they are becoming more of a challenge. As we experience heatwave after heatwave, I’m struggling to keep them from drooping and taking pride of place in my front yard.But, luckily, keeping your hydrangeas thriving in the heat isn’t complicated. It all comes down to three rules.1. Water deeply
(Image credit: Shutterstock)Hydrangeas love water, which means long, hot, dry summers can make it challenging to keep them perky. And the extreme weather can stress and damage the plants. Although burnt leaves won’t recover from the damage, your plant can still survive.The trick is to water deeply, right down to the roots, rather than merely on the surface, where water evaporates. A soaker hose or watering bag that applies a slow drip around the base of the plant is a good idea. Whereas a general garden hose won’t work quite so well.Top tip: Newer plants will need more frequent watering than older, established plants that have deeper roots.2. Water at the right time of day
