As autumn approaches many gardeners will be getting their shears out, but it is a major mistake to prune hydrangea flowers at this time of year
Hydrangea mistake to avoid in autumn as it will result in ‘flowerless’ plant next year(Image: Getty)
As autumn draws near, many gardeners will be reaching for their shears, but it’s a serious error to prune hydrangea flowers at this time of year.
Whilst it might appear sensible to begin cutting back plants in preparation for the chillier months ahead, gardeners ought to realise that certain hydrangeas have already developed their flower buds for the following year. Trimming particular hydrangeas now will remove their blooms, meaning you won’t achieve any spectacular colourful displays next summer but will instead be left with a barren plant capable only of showcasing its foliage.
Kelly Elko, a gardener, has explained that there are two varieties of hydrangeas, old wood and new wood, which require pruning at different periods throughout the year to guarantee they continue blooming.
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Certain hydrangea will not flower at all next year if they are cut in the autumn or late summer(Image: Getty)Why shouldn’t you trim old wood hydrangeas in autumn?
Kelly explained: “Mophead (what I have) and Lacecap Hydrangeas (typically pink, blue or purple) bloom on old wood meaning that their buds start to form in the fall for next summer’s blooms. If they are trimmed in the fall, winter or spring, all of those precious buds will be removed and your summer hydrangeas will be flowerless.”
Old wood hydrangea flowers develop buds on mature woody stems that commence growing straight after the plant has bloomed and remain there until the following year, reports the Express.
The sole occasion old wood hydrangeas ought to be trimmed is during June or July, and even then they should only be cut back if they’ve grown too large. However, if you need to deadhead this plant, meaning remove any dead stems or flowers, then that is fine and can be done at any time of the year.
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New wood hydrangeas such as annabelles can be pruned at this time of year as they have not brown their flower buds yet(Image: Getty)Can you prune new wood hydrangeas in autumn?
New wood hydrangeas haven’t developed their flower buds yet and are safe to trim in autumn.
Kelly said: “PeeGees and Annabelle hydrangeas (usually white) bloom on new wood meaning they can be pruned in the fall and will bloom on new stems in summer.”
Old wood hydrangeas have already grown their flowers for next year and should be left alone(Image: Getty)How to tell if you own an old wood or new wood hydrangea
You’ll be able to identify if you own new wood hydrangeas as they’ll likely still be flowering now since they bloom in late summer and into autumn.
Understanding when your hydrangeas flower is the best way to work out the type you own as old wood hydrangeas will only bloom in late spring into early summer. The flower buds on new wood hydrangeas develop on green stems and tend to grow much more rapidly than old wood hydrangeas.
However, if you’re still uncertain about what type of hydrangea you own then it’s best to avoid pruning it at all or ask a local garden centre to help you identify the plant species.
Being able to recognise what type of hydrangea you own is the most crucial step to pruning to ensure you don’t clip it at the wrong time and will get big healthy flowers growing next year.
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