Do not prune in autumn, if the weather is severe, as this can lead to frost damage and consequently mis-shapen shrubs. As they produce lots of flowers they should be fed well in spring with a mulch of well-rotted manure, compost etc. This should also be done initially when planting. Hydrangeas are generally better grown in moist ground in semi-shade. If one or two flowerpots are buried beside the plant, with a trowel-ful of earth in them, you can fill them with water, and it will gradually filter down to the roots.
Hydrangeas make fine container plants, flowering for many months.
They must be well watered. They all benefit from the occasional foliar feed with a high potash fertiliser such as Phostrogen or Tomorite, to encourage the formation of flower buds. Hydrangeas, with the exception of the paniculata varieties are better not to be pruned unless the branches get overcrowded or untidy, in which case they should be taken out at the base in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. They should never be pruned in autumn, and the old flowerheads should be left on to protect the plants in the winter. They will grow better with feeding and mulching and regular watering in dry weather.