Hydrangeas will withstand winter, but one easy task can help ensure plenty of vibrant blooms come spring
There is one key task that should be done ahead of winter(Image: Getty Images)
UK households with hydrangeas in their gardens are being told to carry out one vital gardening task this September. Hydrangeas are perfect for British gardens as they can endure harsh winters.
But there is one simple task that you should complete now to guarantee abundant blooms come spring.
Whilst it may seem like an eternity away, with temperatures plummeting it’s the perfect time to begin preparations so you can relish a larger hydrangea flowers next year.
Experts at Millcreek Gardens advice that deadheading hydrangeas once their flowers begin to wilt and turn brown will enhance flowering production in the future.
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The specialist explained: “When you deadhead hydrangeas, you aren’t harming the plants at all.”
Eliminating the faded blooms encourages flowering shrubs to cease seed production and instead channel their energy towards root and foliage growth, reports the Express.
“This makes plants stronger and healthier, so by deadheading, you’ll be doing your hydrangeas a favour.”
When to deadhead hydrangeas
You can deadhead hydrangeas throughout the rest of their growing season and into early autumn but it’s sensible to halt before icy conditions emerge.
Deadheading in autumn can help preserve the plant’s appearance and assist the plant in conserving energy but you should stop well before frosty weather arrives as it can place the plant under stress.
The gardening specialist said: “Stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late [autumn], leaving any spent blooms in place. This not only provides winter interest but also ensures you don’t remove the buds that will become flowers next spring.”
Understanding when the first frost will arrive in your area is vital during this period, as you should stop deadheading hydrangeas approximately four weeks beforehand.
Carrying on with deadheading following the first frost might leave new growth vulnerable to freezing conditions, potentially harming the plant and threatening any flower buds developing for next year.
You should deadhead hydrangeas around this time of year(Image: Liudmila Chernetska via Getty Images)How to deadhead hydrangeas
A gardening specialist explained: “Deadheading is an easy gardening task, one many people enjoy. All you need to deadhead hydrangeas is a pair of garden gloves, pruners and a container to hold the faded flowers.”
Before beginning, make certain your pruning shears are spotless by cleaning them with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. This prevents the transmission of fungal infections, reports the Express.
Additionally, ensure you clear any debris from the shears for cleaner cuts, as rough ones can make plants vulnerable to disease.
When ready, search for flowers that have withered, drooped or become brown – these are the exhausted blooms requiring removal. Cut the spent flowers above a pair of vigorous leaves to encourage future strong growth.
Keep the alcohol-soaked cloth nearby and clean the shears following each flower cut.
The specialist recommended: “To deadhead your hydrangeas, simply take each spent bloom and follow its stem down to the next set of large leaves – that’s where you make the cut.”
Make sure to clear any fallen leaves from the ground as they can attract pests and also release an excess of nitrogen into the soil, which could over-fertilise plants.
Deadheading should take less than 10 minutes, but removing dying growth will assist you in achieving larger, healthier and more abundant flowers next spring.
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