Three plants -- nice size, medium and peewee.
All of these hydrangeas were planted at the same time and are
by
Louise
+5
about ten ft from each other. The first photo shows three that are bushy, but various sizes. They all started out at the same size, yet the one on the left has grown much larger. The one on the far right seems to struggle a bit. In the second photo, these two have done OK but recently they've sent up these tall stems that haven't had any flowers. I think I should trim back the tall parts to be more equal with the rest of the plant. Should I? And if yes, is it OK to trim them in the blistering summer heat? I'm in metro Atlanta. Also, I don't suppose summer is the time to fertilize them. Maybe fall?
Two plants. These tall stems recently appeared.
These look like young plants. I think as they are establishing themselves you will get that inconsistent growth. Here is some information that is specific to Atlanta. http://404239lawn.com/pruning-hydrangeas/
Fertilizing helps plants grow. For hydrangeas, typically done in spring and early summer. Skip the fertilizer for now. You can deadhead the spent blooms, but pruning is done in late winter to early spring. For now leave them alone as they are young and establishing themselves. There is no need to even them out. Here are some helpful sites.
http://www.endlesssummerblooms.com/design-and-grow/planting-and-care
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/fertilizing-hydrangeas.htm
https://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-hydrangeas
How young is a young plant? These are 3 or 4 yrs old.
The only time to prune shade hydrangeas, Hydrangea Macrophylla, which is what you have, is just after they bloom, or snip off dead twigs in spring, after the plant leafs out. If you cut off limbs in summer, you'l have fewer blooms next spring.Shade Hydrangeas like morning sun in the South, but will fry in afternoon sun. They also require lots of water to grow well. You re probably getting all this tall growth due to the rain we've been having.That should tell you that they have not been watered enough in the past few years.
Also when you cut back hydrangeas you can root more.
Some times it takes 2 -3 years to settle in a new spot. NEXT YEARS BLOOMS are on the stalks that DID NOT FLOWER this summer. DO NOT cute those, you are cutting next years blooms off... After done flowering cut the ones that had flowers THIS SUMMER. think of an even odd cycle. Cut the flowers down to just above a where leaves branch out of. As Long or short as you want. Next spring that will have 2 stems coming out at the bud union..Next year repeat with the ones that flowered, again as long or as short as you want . This a good way to keep the bush the height you want it..
My solution is dig the punys up and put them somewhere else.....same type don't always like the same spot......dig 'em up.....say to them, "OK, then grow HERE" and be firm. Also, be sure to get the air out of the new hole you've thrown dirt in. And water in good.