PERENNIAL FAVOURITE: Mophead hydrangeas are a familiar sight in front gardens (Image: Liudmila Chernetska/Getty)
As a general rule, most hydrangeas should not be heavily pruned in autumn. This includes the popular lacecap and mophead varieties (Hydrangea macrophylla).
They flower on old wood and cutting them back now will remove buds for next year’s blooms. Instead, simply tidy them up by deadheading spent blooms or leave them on to provide protection against winter frosts.
However, panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth (Hydrangea arborescens) varieties flower on new wood and can be pruned in late autumn or spring. Last years’ growth should be cut back by about a third, or to the ground, to encourage new flower-bearing stems.
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