1
The hydrangea’s old flower heads
help protect the delicate new
flower buds from frosts. Leave them
on the plant during the winter to
ensure a good display of colorful
blooms the following summer.
PRUNING
HYDRANG EA
Hydrangea macrophylla, or mophead hydrangea,
flowers in summer from buds that have been set the
previous year. Careful pruning will protect these
developing buds, which are prone to frost damage in
the spring, ensuring a good display of flowers.
YOU WILL NEED
• pruners
• garden gloves
• garden waste bags
SEE ALSO
• PRUNE A ROSE ARCH >> 92/93
• PRUNING WISTERIA >> 98/99
• PRUNE WINTER STEMS >> 130/131
COLOR CHANGES
Mophead hydrangea is one
variety known to change flower
color depending on the soil type:
blue in acid, mauve in neutral,
and pink in alkaline soils. White
varieties stay white regardless
of soil pH.
US_124-125_Pruning_hydranger.indd 124 07/09/2018 16:33
SHRUBS // PRUNING HYDRANGEA 124–12 5
3
Do not be tempted to prune
too hard as this will remove
many of the flower buds already
formed on the stems that grew
the previous year. New stems
that grow in the coming year
will bloom the following summer.
2
When the danger of hard frost has passed
in late spring, remove the flower heads by
pruning the stems back to a pair of healthy
buds, as shown.
Bare stems continue to
add structure and interest
to the winter garden even
after the dried owers
are removed
US_124-125_Pruning_hydranger.indd 125 07/09/2018 16:33
US_126-127_Shrubs_DPS.indd 126 07/09/2018 16:33
With their large, showy owers, hydrangeas
are shrubs that oer long-lasting interest. They
bloom for weeks at a time, then their fading ower
heads give structure in the border in winter.
US_126-127_Shrubs_DPS.indd 127 07/09/2018 16:33
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.