When to cut hydrangeas and is October suitable for it? Pruning a hydrangea at the wrong time can damage next year's blooms. And since not all hydrangeas bloom at the same time, it's important to know when to use the scissors.
Fall is an important time for garden care and pruning hydrangeas is an important task to ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms next year. They are loved for their beautiful, large flowers and hardy leaves, but require proper care to keep them growing strong and healthy. When should you cut your hydrangeas and what should you pay attention to in autumn, you will find out in this article.
When to cut hydrangeas? These species are due in October
Caring for your hydrangeas is very important for their blooms next year. A common question every fall gardener asks is whether to prune their hydrangeas. To answer this question, you should first make sure what type of hydrangea you have. Removing flowers and light pruning to remove dead branches is always beneficial, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Learn when to prune hydrangeas and the steps to follow.
Which hydrangeas should you cut back in autumn?
When it comes to autumn pruning of hydrangeas, you should determine whether your plant blooms on new or old wood.
Species in cutting group 1, such as farmer's hydrangeas and oakleaf hydrangeas, which bloom on the previous year's wood, should never be cut back in autumn. Since the buds for the flowers form as the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler in the fall, pruning can significantly reduce the number of flowers next year.
For hydrangeas in pruning group 2 that bloom on new wood (panicle hydrangeas and viburnum hydrangeas), October is the best time for pruning, as they begin to grow new shoots in spring that will bear the flowers.
Cutting hydrangeas: correctly identifying the species
You can easily tell whether your hydrangea is blooming on old or new wood by looking at the shoots. When buds can be seen on the branches in autumn,your hydrangea is bloomingon the old wood and should therefore be done in the fallnot cut backbecome.
However, if no buds are noticeable in late fall, you can cut the plant back in October.
There are also new varieties, the so-called remontant varieties, which bloom on both old and new wood and do not require pruning. You should only remove sick and damaged branches and ensure the health of the plant.
However, if you are unsure what type of hydrangea you have, it is best to be cautious and prune in the spring.
Cut hydrangeas in cutting group 2 in October
Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be cut back in late fall after flowering.
Use clean, sharp scissors for grooming pruning.
Start by removing dead wood and crisscrossing branches in the center of the clump to allow for better circulation of air and light. If you feel it is necessary, you can shorten the plant to 20 to 30 cm. Prune all shoots to short stubs with 1-2 pairs of eyes to encourage new growth and double the number of shoots.
Wasthe faded flowersAs far as this is concerned, you have several options.
You can remove them when there is no risk of frost. In this case, cut at the base of the flowers, just above the first bud.
You can also leave the flowers in place and cut them back in spring. They will protect the shrub from frost.
Step back from the plant and observe its shape. Then trim the shrub into the shape you prefer. A ball is the typical shape, but you can cut it into any shape you like. Just be sure not to remove more than a third of the plant so it can recover and survive the winter.
