There must be a hydrangea growing in your garden which is why you’re here. Or you’re probably part of the many who are contemplating whether to get one for their yard. Their interesting foliage and showy blossoms surely will turn make your garden an eye-catching one.
In order to keep your Hydrangeas growing beautifully, it's best to place them on a well-lit area, regularly hydrate them and lastly, pruning.
But sometimes, people are hesitant when it comes to pruning these flower heads. This can be for various reasons. Many think it’s a waste to cut these beauties. Others have had pruning experiences with hydrangeas, and they didn’t turn out good in the end. With this, you would probably think it’s better not to prune them.
The best thing you can do regarding this is research and read.
You don’t have to be a professional gardener or landscaper to keep your Hydrangea healthy and lovely. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered that could help you achieve the ultimate beauty for your Hydrangea.
Hydrangeas have an enormous variety, with as many as 70 species in their genus, others even claiming it's 80. There are 6 popular types of hydrangea: the Bigleaf Hydrangea, Climbing Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Panicle Hydrangea.
Each distinct type has their own unique growing requirement that one must consider. Once you find what kind of Hydrangea you have, it'll be easier to identify when and how you will prune.
Once you figured out what type of Hydrangea you grow, you’ll be able to know if your shrub blooms on old or new wood. A little research will help but if you have your Hydrangeas for long, you probably know when they start blooming.
Hydrangeas that flower on “old wood” produce flower buds that will open on the coming summer. This includes Bigleaf Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea and Mountain Hydrangea. Pruning in spring or winter could lead to a bloomless plant this year. In conclusion, these varieties of hydrangea are best pruned immediately after they produce flowers in summer.
The Climbing Hydrangea blossoms on “old wood” grown during the previous season but I recommend pruning them only when necessary, during winter or early spring to control its size.
On the other hand, Hydrangeas that bloom on “new wood” contain flower buds that will emerge in spring. This includes Smooth Hydrangea and Panicle Hydrangea. Since the buds won’t appear during winter, you can prune these plants in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
Setting a goal will help you focus only on the things that need to be done.
You can choose to tidy up your plant. To improve its appearance or maintain its clean look, you can snip off blooms just below the flower head. Make sure to remove dead, damaged or diseased stems at the soil line.
To improve vigor, remove a few of the oldest stems at the soil line. You can also use this method to keep your hydrangea from getting too tall by removing the tallest canes.
If your aim is to get bigger flowers, you can trim them back after they’re done blossoming. Start with a good pair of pruning shears and cut all the way back to the ground.
The blossoms of the Hydrangeas are so big, you might even hesitate deadheading them. Hydrangeas benefit from deadheading when done correctly. This diverts the energy of the plant to more important parts that are essential to the plant's growth. This allows the plant to look fresh and stay healthy.
Deadhead during blooming season to encourage new flower growth and stop in mid to late fall so you don’t risk removing buds that will blossom next year.
Bypass pruners work best when pruning Hydrangeas. These garden shears work like scissors, with its blades passing by each other to make a cut. Garden scissors like the PrecisionPRO pruning shears are a fine example you can invest in.
Make sure your pair of pruning shears are sharp enough to produce clean and precise cuts. Disinfect your tool before and after you use them to prevent bacterial growth and transfer of diseases from one plant to another.
The Choice for the Toughest Gardening Challenges, These Pruners are Made for Hard Use, Whilst Still Delivering Smooth, Precise Cutting Action That's Easy on Your Hands.
Click here for details
Ergonomically Designed For Optimum Comfort And Shaped To Neutralize Wrist Bending, Ideal For Regular And Day-To-Day Pruning.
Click here for details
Compact Size Pruner Built For Smaller To Medium Hands! Easy To Use, Lightweight, Versatile Pruner Designed For Lighter Pruning Work, A Solid Compact Tool For Faster & More Efficient Pruning.
Click here for details
Compound Action Bypass Loppers Designed To Provide 3X More Power Than Traditional Ones, Built With Long Handles For Added Leverage, Ideal For Tougher Branches.
Click here for details