Believe it or not, Spring will eventually come. There are signs already. Up here in the Pacific Northwest early daffodils are already in brilliant bloom. If you're in a little colder climate you might have noticed a crocus bulb or two peaking their ambitious heads through the snow or the Birch trees shedding their cinnamon-like debris on top of the winter wonderland. These are the subtle signs that nature gives us, helping us hang on in hope for just a little longer, waiting for the plant world to again resurrect back into vibrant life. I can't wait.
With Spring undoubtedly on its way, this is a great time to do some dormant pruning of plants such as spirea, fruit trees, dogwood shrubs, roses, and especially your
hydrangeas, arguably one of the most spectacular flowering shrubs.
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| Late Winter Hydrangea, ready for pruning |
For most people who don't spend everyday caring for plants, pruning can be a little overwhelming. When do I prune? What do I prune? How much can I take off? Will this kill the plant? These are all great questions I have been asked. The following are my three simple pruning steps to get your hydrangeas in shape, ready to produce breathtaking blooms this coming summer.
STEPS 1, 2, 3
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| Cut just above a pair of healthy buds |
1. The first step is to simply take your favorite pair of sharp hand pruners and cut off all the dead, spent flowers. Cut just above a pair of healthy buds being sure not to damage them. If your hydrangea is a bit overgrown then go ahead and cut down the stem a little ways to reduce the height, but be sure to leave a couple feet of stems with buds on them. I should mention here that I like to keep the brown, dried out flower heads on the plant all winter to add color and
texture to the garden during the dormant months.
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| This is what you have after step 1. |
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| Remove oldest/largest branches (about 1/3 or less of the total). |
2. The next step is to take a pair of loppers (larger, long handled pruners) and cut back about 1/3 or so of the oldest and largest branches on your plant. These you will cut back to the base, leaving only a few inches or so left of the branch. Cutting these back will open up the plant and allow younger more energetic branches to flourish and will also encourage new branches to come up from the base. Removing about 1/3 of the oldest branches every year will keep the plant healthy and vigorous.
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| Finished hydrangea ready for a spectacular summer |
3. In the last step simply go back, grab your small hand pruners and simply prune off any remaining small dead branches. Also, take a second to step back and look at the overall shape and balance of the plant. If there is a branch or two that just look out of place, are too low or high, or just otherwise don't look right go ahead and prune them back and remove them. Once you're happy with the shape dispose of the removed cuttings in your garden waste bin or mulch pile, pat yourself on the back, and wait patiently for your hydrangea summer blooms to wow friends and neighbors.
Hydrangeas are great plants and there are many varieties. For an overview of hydrangeas read my earlier post;
Hydrangeas: The Embroidered Globes. Hydrangeas like to be in moist rich soil and part shade. In the spring, add a light application of a balanced fertilizer or a couple inches of good compost mulch.
