How to Prune Hydrangeas
HOW TO PRUNE HYDRANGEAS
Hydrangeas do not require a lot of pruning effort but the type of
pruning differs depending on which Hydrangea you have.
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Hydrangea macrophylla -
Mopheads
Don't remove the dead flowers on mophead Hydrangeas until the
following mid-Spring. During the late winter and early Spring, the
dead flowers will protect tender young buds from hard frosts. When you
do remove the flowers, cut back the stem below the flower to just
above a healthy looking set of buds. |
Whilst pruning back the dead flowers keep a look out for frost damaged
branches or shoots. Cut damaged wood back to the fist healthy looking
set of buds. Prune out any weak looking stems at the same time.
Hydrangea macrophylla - Lacecaps
In general, lacecaps are hardier than mopheads and there is almost no
need to prune other than cutting back damaged stems or branches to a healthy
looking set of buds. Lacecaps will put a lot of effort into developing
seeds though when the flowers die so it's best to remove flowers as
soon as they are dead.
Hydrangea paniculata
It's fine to not prune this type of Hydrangea. If the plant has become too large
simply prune to shape in late winter, they tolerate hard pruning. This
will encourage larger panicles of flowers. Hydrangea
anomala subsp.petiolaris
This variety also requires no pruning. If the plant is becoming too
large, prune shoots to a healthy set of buds as soon as flowering
has ceased. Hydrangea quercifolia
These hydrangeas flower on old wood and therefore only require the
removal of dead or damaged branches and stems in mid-Spring when leaf
growth has begun. CARE OF HYDRANGEAS
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Hydrangea with lime green flowers |
Hydrangeas like to be kept evenly moist at all times, this is the
major factor in producing good specimens. They also like a
well-drained soil. So lots of mulch around the base of the plant but
not touching it is very beneficial. If the plant is on
good soil then very little feeding is required if they are
well-mulched. If the soil is sandy and lacks nutrients, a twice yearly
(early spring and mid-summer) feed with some liquid tomato feed will
satisfy their needs. Don't use a feed rich in nitrogen because
nitrogen will encourage leaf growth at the expense of flower growth. |
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