We have a large pink / bluey pink flowering shrub in our garden but it seems to have suffered a little bit of wind damage. It also seems to be unable to support it own weight and some branches are falling over. Can someone tell me whether I should cut off these branches now, or tie the plant together or what else I can do to help it survive and thrive?
2007-08-08 23:26:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
How you prune it depends on the type of Hydrangea you have.
The smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), bloom on new wood so if you prune in late winter or early spring, you won't accidentally cut off this year's flowers. Others, like some mopheads and many big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) bloom on old wood, so any late-season (or fall or winter) pruning you do erases next year's flowers.
You can "prune a third of the stems of mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) to the ground after blooming and cut off flower heads when they become tattered. But do not prune the flowerless straight shoots without side branches because these are the ones that will branch out and flower next year."*
Good luck! Hope this helps.
2007-08-08 23:55:12 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the branches are not broken it would be a shame to cut them off. I have the same problem, that the heavy rain on the large heads can't support the weight of the rain water, so it's not just the wind.
Best way is to get some canes and tie them up straight and keep the blooms, that's why Hydrangea are so popular ! the beautiful large heads. If any of the stalks are broken just cut the off at the base.
2007-08-09 06:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by John L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All hydrangeas are pretty tough plants and even if you clipped off a few flower buds this year it will sprout again. It is hard to tell if your plant will bloom this year because it depends on the variety and how far down you have cut. But hey, here's the good news, you can have another go at getting it right next year. Ain't nature forgiving!
2016-05-17 21:18:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can cut the branches off at the base now if they are damaged. If they are not broken at the joint and are touching the ground, if you scrape off a bit of bark from underneath and weight down with a brick they may well root and you will have lots of new plants by this time next year.
2007-08-09 05:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by florayg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could lop off some long branches then knock a stick in ground right next to plant and put ties on it.
2007-08-11 06:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd cut it back hard now to help it grow bushy. If you dont do it soon, better to wait until late spring after all frosts are over as hydrangea are very susceptible to frost damage.
2007-08-10 02:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋