Hydrangea help.

[SquishySquirmy]

I bought a reduced hydrangea (Limelight) from the garden centre. It has wilted leaves and the flower heads are undeveloped and wilted off. There is no obvious sign of pests or disease though- My assumption is that it wasn't watered well enough. I have mixed success of reviving poorly, reduced plants (the failures are worth it for the gorgeous, ultra cheap plants I've aquired though) but really want to rescue this one!

What is the best way to revive it? I do not have much hope for this season, but would love it to be healthy enough by winter to survive. I'm in NE Scotland on heavy clay, so even hardy plants struggle sometimes with the cold and wet.

Should I prune it right down? Just prune the flower heads?
It is in a 20cm diameter pot at the moment, and is destined for the ground eventually. Should I wait for it to perk up a bit before moving it?

Thanks.

I'd prune it down, get it in the ground and give it plenty of ericaceous feed.

And water, water, water. Hydrangeas love lots of water, hence the 'hydra' in the name.

I bought a gorgeous one last year which flowered forever but I was lazy and didn't prune the dead heads off it in the autumn. I pruned it just before spring and it looked terrible for months, but with lots of watering and a warm shady spot in the garden it seems to be picking up. Not sure if I'll get any blooms on it this year but I'll see how it goes

Yes I forgot about water!!!! Mine ae looking very sad at the mo because of the lack of water.

I have a few, some new last year and some more established, but they all like loads of water. Loads and loads. I know people always say that, but I don’t think it is possible to over water it.

Gunty you're supposed to leave the dead blooms on hydrangeas till the spring and then only cut off the dead heads.* Hydrangeas bloom on new growth so if you prune down to the wood in spring you won't get any blooms till the next year.*

I share your rescue passion! Especially with Hydrangeas. That how I got all of mine.
What I do is to repot them in a larger container, feed and water well. I don’t prune, but give the whole plant a chance of recovery and prune as normal in the spring. They often don’t amount the much the first year, but bloom away the next.
I’m not at home, otherwise I’d post a picture of my beauties.

Thanks all!
I have just pruned the most wilty bits off for now- will cut it down more later but there are still some healthy looking branches. I have cut off all the flower heads off. I am giving it plenty of water!!