COLOURFUL hydrangaes are a beautiful staple in any garden.
The shrubs are one of the most popular choices to grow in UK gardens with beautiful, long-lasting flowers that bloom in a range of colours.
The fact that they're great value and fairly low maintenace makes them an even sought-after option with gardeners.
And people are going even wilder for them this week after spotting them for sale in a top supermarket for just 1p.
The potted hydrangeas usually cost £15 in Sainsbury's but have been slashed down to a penny in a post-Mother's Day sale.
Spotting them in her local store, bargain hunter Linda said: “Scanned at 1p in Sainsbury's 15 minutes ago.
“Was 15 pound each and yes I left the others there lol.”
Other gardening fans have been racing to their nearest supermarket since Linda shared her find on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, which boasts 2.6million members.
One cried: “Every man for himself I'd of took them all.”
A second wrote: “You're so lucky! It would never happen to me.”
“Omg I would love those”, gushed a third.
Someone else chimed in: “Wow that's a bargain, I would of gone back for more!!”
A fifth added: “Just popped to my local Sainsbury's and found 2.”
And a sixth chimed in: “Thank you so much, I managed to get one!”
Other green-fingered social media users, meanwhile, shared an important tip for anybody picking up the bargain potted plant.
One said: “Be careful at night as they have be forced to flower. Bring them in at night if you can.”
While a second echoed: “These hydrangeas are lovely but these are greenhouse raised and forced into flowering very early.
“Keep it well watered and indoors in a cool room until the end of this month, then plant out in the ground, or in a much bigger container.”
GROWING TIPS
Gardening fans have also been urged to save their kitchen scraps to help the fan-favourite flower bloom with “intense” colour this spring.
Hydrangeas can grow the best, vibrant blooms thanks to three everyday food staples, according to a local gardening expert.
Chris Ware, gardening expert at Climbing Wild Gardeners, explains that the plant thrives when given a steady supply of nutrients.
“Hydrangeas produce their best blooms with intense colour when they are well-fed,” he says.
“Instead of relying on shop-bought fertilisers, gardeners can use simple kitchen waste to nourish their plants naturally.”
And one of the easiest ways to improve soil health and strengthen hydrangea growth is by using eggshells as they act as a natural fertiliser.
Another simple kitchen waste item that benefits hydrangeas is coffee grounds which provide a valuable source of nitrogen that “promotes lush foliage and enhances flower colour”.
Hydrangeas are known for their ability to change colour depending on soil pH, and adding acidic food scraps can help maintain the right conditions.
“Citrus peels, such as orange and lemon peel, are rich in potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, making them a great addition to hydrangea soil,” Chris explains.
