How to prune these hydrangeas and general care?
by
Jane
+12
Help! New hydrangea gardner here ... we live in the NC area Zone 7 I believe. these had been planted on the East/South side and was a bad placement so just moved them to the North side and they are improving. Good new growth. How do I prune these as no idea to type of hydrangea. Don't know if old wood/new wood etc. Also with the black spots on it had tried Neem in past. Am I better off just cutting them to the ground and start fresh next year? thanks
Hi Jane, this site has lots of good information I hope will helps you grow beautiful hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas: How to Plant and Care for Hydrangea Shrubs ...www.almanac.com › Gardening › Growing Guides
Growing hydrangeas, pruning hydrangeas, change hydrangea flower colors, and ... While these flowering shrubs are low-maintenance, proper care will keep ... If you live in Zone 8 or warmer, choose plants from this group. ... Wit & Wisdom.
It depends on the type of hydrangea you have. This link should help:
https://www.waysidegardens.com/hydrangea-care-guide/a/324/
Pruning hydrangea can be confusing. It’s because it depends on the variety of hydrangea. Knowing your hydrangea type is an important factor. Looking at your leaves and blossom will help ID the variety, please look at the references below for best practice recommendations.
https://www.almanac.com/plant/hydrangeas
The timing of the pruning seem determines by the hydrangea variety according to this source.
Prune during the summer, just after the flowers fade:
Bigleaf or Florist Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Prune in late winter or early spring:
Hills-of-Snow or Sevenbark Hydrangea (H. arborescens ‘Grandiflora’),
Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia)
Peegee Hydrangea (H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’),
Tea of Heaven (H. serrata)
Prune as needed to control growth -
Climbing Hydrangea (H. anomala petiolaris)
https://www.thespruce.com/when-to-prune-hydrangeas-1403320
And another reference
http://www.finegardening.com/pruning-hydrangeas
I usually let me hydrenaga dry and just cut under flower bud so next year bushes are growing taller and stronger
Here is some info for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5LHyYtdddU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKXnMuRb6ow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5svJJ4VR_D4
I love hydrangeas! There are lots of posts here on caring for them:
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=Hydrangeas
Pruning this winter is a good choice. Here are some instructions: https://thekitchengarten.com/why-and-how-to-prune-hydrangeas/
I would wait to prune until next season and leaves start coming out again. That way you will be able to easily determine dead branches vs. new. Just keep them happy and well watered for the rest of this season!
Try digging in minced banana peels at the drip line around your hydrangeas, to ward off black spot. Sometimes, black spot is exacerbated from inadequate air circulation.
Here's a link that should help, apparently there are different kinds of Hydrangeas and different times to prune them back.
https://www.gardendesign.com/hydrangea/pruning.html
Here are some tips: https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=hydrangeas
I would ask at a local nursery so they can give you specific info based on your climate and area. We cut our back one fall and they didn't bloom the next year. We were told that was not the time to prune them in our area.
Now is a good time and early spring.
This post might help https://chascrazycreations.com/garden-101/
IF YOUR HYDRANGA BLOOMS ON OLD WOOD, DON'T TRIM THEM BACK. IF YOUR HYDRANGES BLOOM ON NEW WOOD, CUT THEM OFF TWO INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THEY ARE DONE BLOOMING. Sorry for all the caps. I live in zone 7 and I had some Hydranges that bloomed on old wood....one year they froze because they were on the north side of my house and consequently they died. The one I have that blooms on new wood is happy and spreading and blooming.