Deadhead hydrangeas early; prune timing depends on whether they bloom on new or old wood. Protect plants with mulch, burlap, or cages in cold climates; move potted hydrangeas indoors below 45°F.

Living in a New England beach town, it was my dream to have lush, colorful hydrangea bushes akin to those seen on Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. Instead, I had some drooping cone hydrangeas and a ...