As the vibrant pink, purple, and blue hues of hydrangea flowers transition from their summer peak to a subtle autumn brown, it can be tempting to let them be. These fading blooms take on a charming fall palette, contributing a touch of texture and warm browns to the garden. However, delaying the pruning of hydrangeas past their prime could jeopardize the growth of next year’s blossoms, depending on the specific variety you have.
Hydrangeas are perennial plants that return with their beautiful blooms year after year, but they fall into two main categories: old wood hydrangeas and new wood hydrangeas. Knowing which type you have in your garden is crucial for determining the right time to trim them back post-bloom.
Nicole Elizabeth Dillon, the owner of Breemar Flower Farm in Ashland, VA, advises that while cutting back hydrangeas is not always necessary, neglecting to do so can result in a tangled mess of old and new growth, potentially hindering the plant’s health and blooming capabilities.
Old wood hydrangeas, such as climbing hydrangeas, oak leaf hydrangeas, and big leaf hydrangeas, start developing next year’s blooms while still bearing this year’s flowers. For these varieties, it’s best to prune after the summer blooming season, typically by early August, to allow time for bud formation without risking damage to future flowers.
In contrast, new wood hydrangeas like smooth hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas bloom on fresh growth each year, providing more flexibility in pruning timing. Panicle hydrangeas, in particular, are less finicky about pruning schedules since they blossom on new growth, reducing the risk of cutting off next year’s blooms by pruning at the wrong time.
Ultimately, hydrangeas are resilient and forgiving plants when it comes to pruning, bouncing back even if trimmed at less-than-ideal moments. However, the trade-off may be a temporary loss of blooms depending on the hydrangea type.
Dillon suggests that pruning new wood hydrangeas can be done anytime from early fall to winter to early spring, but she personally prefers to wait for aesthetic reasons. According to Dillon, waiting until late winter or early spring is recommended because the dried flower heads can provide winter interest. Here are some tips for pruning hydrangeas to ensure a smoother process and reduce the risk of damaging next year’s blooms.
When cutting back hydrangeas, it is important to determine if you have old wood or new wood by examining the stem. Old wood will have darker, browner, and stiffer stems, while new wood will feel greener and more flexible. Trim back to the first set of new buds after the blooms of old wood hydrangeas have faded. You can deadhead the spent flowers, but avoid cutting beyond the first set of buds.
Some hydrangeas benefit from a hard pruning approach. Dillon advises that smooth hydrangeas should be allowed to grow for several seasons before undergoing a hard pruning down to the ground in the spring. For old wood hydrangeas, it is recommended to cut back by one third to reduce the size of the plant without pruning it down to the ground.
To ensure the health of your hydrangeas, remove dead stems by checking for green underneath the woody surface. Dead stems can be removed at any time without causing harm to the plant. If you are unsure about the type of hydrangea you have, inspect the stem to determine if it is old wood or new wood based on its color and flexibility.
If you have waited too long to cut back your hydrangeas, there is no need to worry as it should not negatively impact the plant. Simply resume pruning the following year and in the meantime, remove any dead stems to tidy up the plant. While cutting back hydrangeas is not mandatory, over time, unchecked growth can lead to tangled branches which may affect the size of the blooms.
Commonly Asked Questions:
– How can I identify the type of hydrangea I have?
If you are unsure about the type of hydrangea in your garden, examine the stem to determine if it is old wood or new wood based on its appearance and texture.
– What should I do if I have let my hydrangeas grow without pruning for too long?
If you have neglected pruning your hydrangeas for an extended period, simply resume pruning the following year and remove any dead stems in the meantime to maintain the plant’s health.
– Is it necessary to trim back hydrangeas regularly?
While regular pruning is not compulsory, allowing hydrangeas to grow unchecked can result in tangled growth that may impact the size and quality of the blooms over time.
For further advice on caring for hydrangeas during the winter to ensure beautiful blooms in the upcoming summer season, refer to the original article on Southern Living.
