As autumn rolls around, there are plenty of jobs to be done in the garden to prepare your plants for a cold winter and get them ready for next summer’s bloom.
Leaving the task now could create a much stronger bloom next year(Image: Getty)
With autumn upon us, there are loads of tasks to tackle in the garden to prepare your plants for a chilly winter and get them ready for next summer’s display.
However, whilst you might think one typical gardening chore is benefiting your plants, experts have cautioned that it could be having the reverse effect.
Pruning is an extremely widespread practice amongst gardeners, typically employed to remove dead, diseased or overgrown branches and foliage to encourage even superior growth for the following season.
Yet whilst it might work for numerous plants, some more fragile varieties would benefit from a trim much later in the year.
Hydrangeas particularly are at risk when pruned during autumn and winter, reports the Express.
One classic autumn task could actually be ruining your hydrangea(Image: Getty)
The plant’s signature clusters of blooms are what make them such a beloved choice, but when they begin to fade at summer’s end, it might actually be wise to avoid deadheading and leave them alone.
According to specialists at the RHS, the blooms provide excellent frost protection to the young buds and shoots throughout winter, resulting in an even superior display next summer.
The organisation added: “Although the blooms on mophead hydrangeas can, in mild areas, be removed as soon as they have faded, it is best to leave them on the plant over winter to provide some frost protection for the tender growth buds below.
“Remove the dead flowerheads in early spring, cutting back the stem to the first strong, healthy pair of buds down from the faded bloom.”
For those with lacecap hydrangeas in their garden, feel free to prune, as this variety is quite resistant to the cold weather. A simple trim back to the second pair of leaves below the head can prevent any seeds from growing, which will keep the energy inside the plant.
Leaving the dead flowers on could help protect the new shoots from frost(Image: Getty)
As spring approaches and the threat of frost has all but vanished, a quick prune before any new growth has started will give your plant the best chance for a fantastic flowering season when summer arrives a few months later.
Pruning in early spring will now help them maintain a manageable size, enhance their shape, and stimulate new growth for more and better flowers.
However, if your plant has been left in poor condition after this summer’s harsh heatwaves, it may require more drastic measures. The experts said: “Overgrown or poorly shaped plants can be entirely renovated by cutting off all the stems at the base.
“However, this will remove all the flowers for that summer. The new stems won’t bloom until the following year.”
Another task perfect for hydrangeas in September is beginning to adjust your soil pH. These plants adore slightly acidic soil, but it can take time to increase your garden’s acidity level, and by adding special fertiliser now, it gives plenty of time to create the ideal conditions by spring.
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