Hydrangea Annabelle is my absolute favorite bloom, and I can never get enough of how the large, soft, creamy-white globes sit against lush green foliage. In fact, I am obsessed with this elegant showstopper.
I’ve spent the last few months admiring the magnificent flower heads, but they have now started to lose their color and turn brown. While they still look majestic in my yard, I want to know whether I should prune my hydrangeas or leave them be.
To discover how to take the best care of my hydrangeas in October, and whether I need to sharpen my best pruning shears, I called on the expertise of plant experts to share their knowledge. And it turns out they need some TLC.
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Should you prune hydrangeas in October?
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If you’d been wondering whether you should prune your hydrangeas in October, the plant experts give a clear answer. It’s a definite no.
“Any variety of hydrangeas that blooms on last year’s growth, often called ‘old wood’, should be pruned right after the flowering, usually in the late summer. If pruned at any other time, this would remove established buds, resulting in little or no flowering in the following year,” explains Angelika Zaber, lawn care specialist and plant expert at Online Turf.
For any other kind of hydrangeas, Zaber says it’s best to leave the plant untouched until early spring. And she adds, “It provides some protection for the tender growth buds over the cold, winter months.”
Marina Prokaten, plant expert at Plantum, explains that Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea quercifolia are examples of hydrangeas that flower on old growth, while Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens form their buds on new growth.
By holding back from trimming the flower heads, you’ll still be able to enjoy the blooms, although their petals will have faded. But if you do weaken and resort to tidying them up, Hyannis Country Garden says you’ll have fewer flowers next year.
However, when the correct time comes to prune them, Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, recommends waiting until the stems can be cut back to the first or second pair of healthy buds, which ensures optimal flowering.
Hydrangea jobs for October
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Although October isn’t the right month to prune hydrangeas, there are plenty of other jobs you can do to ensure your plants stay healthy for the next flowering season.
Check for disease
Zaber suggests taking the time to regularly inspect your hydrangeas for any signs of disease. You can start by checking the leaves for powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, rust and leaf spot.
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Add some mulch
Your hydrangeas will appreciate a good mulch to protect the roots from extreme temperature changes. “Mulch will also release nutrients into the soil as it decomposes, improving its overall quality,” says Zaber.
Palphramand also says mulch will aid moisture retention and provide the plant’s roots with nutrients during the dormant period. He recommends placing organic matter, such as garden compost, leaf mold, or composted bark, around the base of your plants.
Reposition containers
If your hydrangeas are grown in containers, rather than directly in your yard, October is a good time to move them into a sheltered position. This will protect them from strong winds and frost.
To prevent the roots from getting water-logged, and to aid drainage, place your containers on pot feet, or grab a few bricks. You might even want to try the hack of cutting a cork in half and placing the flat side on the surface beneath your pots. The idea is that it raises them off the ground, helping drainage, while also eliminating dirty pot marks on your patio.
Keep them watered but not water-logged
According to Soto Gardens, all hydrangeas love water and they should be kept well-hydrated throughout the year. However, be careful not to overwater them and cause their roots to become water-logged, especially if they are planted in a container. If your hydrangea is overwatered you’ll may notice yellow or brown leaves, drooping leaves, and mold around the soil at the base of the plant. If you spot all of the above, there’s a good chance your hydrangea will have root rot.
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Plant some more
Apart from taking care of your hydrangeas that are already established in your yard, fall is the ideal time to plant new hydrangeas. At this time, the soil is moist, and the plants won’t be subjected to extreme weather conditions. They’ll also have time for the roots to establish before winter arrives.
However, if you do miss this spot to plant even more of these gorgeous flowers, don’t worry, as you won’t have to wait another whole year to get planting. Hydrangeas can also be planted in the spring, giving them plenty of time to become established before summer arrives.
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