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Relatively little attention is required during the year. An annual mulch of weed free organic matter in autumn, perhaps mixed with bonemeal or other slow release fertiliser, will help conserve moisture in summer and provide a steady flow of nutrients. At the same time, and certainly before the end of the year, it pays to remove most, if not all, of the old foliage of H. hybridus plants and of many other species; this is a precaution against the spread of black spot disease. By the time the flower stems start to emerge all the foliage should have been removed. Trim off the foliage of caulescent species towards the base of the stems as it begins to deteriorate and look tatty.
Check labels regularly, blackbirds have a habit of flinging them around and generous mulching can bury them and their text becomes illegible.
Unless seed is required, snip off the flower stems at the base when the colour has drained from the flowers. The caulescent species should have the whole flowering stem cut out at the base after flowering; new shoots will be seen emerging from the base and these will provide the foliage and flowers for the coming season.