Is it too late to cut the spent blooms off my hydrangeas?
by
Louise
+9
I'm in north metro Atlanta and have 3 of these plants. I've always removed the blooms before now but time got away from me. Our temps are still mild -- no freeze or frost yet and anywhere from in the mid 40s in the mornings to upper 80s in the afternoon -- and all temps in between for lows and highs.
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It shouldn't be a problem at all, Louise!
Sometimes big leaf hydrangeas become overgrown and need to be trimmed. However, too much pruning will greatly reduce or eliminate flowering. In late summer, after the bloom period, dried flowers can be removed. But, it’s best to wait until new growth emerges in the early spring to be sure that you are only removing dead or weakened parts and not removing live stems with flower buds. In very old and declining hydrangeas, hard renewal pruning may be needed. Cut back all of the branches to the ground. This will eliminate the blossoms for that year but the next year should be quite productive.
If you always remove them and it's still mild, go right ahead.
Yes there is still time, go ahead and snip the blooms. You can bring them in the house and set in a vase, dried Hydrangea blossoms look pretty!
I wait for the blooms to be over and are dead and dry, then they get cut off. This yields plenty of blooms each year.
here is info Louise
https://www.gardendesign.com/hydrangea/pruning.html#:~:text=Trimming%20should%20be%20done%20immediately,than%20fewer%20larger%20flower%20heads.
Hello great question. This extension link might be helpful
https://u.osu.edu/thenews/2021/04/06/a-few-tips-to-remember-on-pruning-those-hydrangeas/
No you could still try I did and they are still good starting to dry though but useable
I'm in the same general temp zone (just north of Birmingham) and I you should still be able to cut it with no issues.
I looked at mine yesterday and they are fine to cut off but they are starting to dry off
I think you should be good!
No! Plus if they have any color left, you can put them in a vase and they will dry out naturally and you can put them around your house!