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Deadheading/pruning hydrangeas

(21 Posts)
Luckygirl Mon 26-Mar-18 10:47:54

I was planning to do this today and have looked at the weather forecast. There are a couple of nights in the next 2 weeks when one degree is forecast.

Should I wait a couple of weeks before doing this?

Shinyredcar Mon 26-Mar-18 10:55:46

Yes, and then another couple. There can be frosts even in the SW into the end of May! But by then the new growth will be able to cope. Just now, with the recent weather as well, I would leave them.

Luckygirl Mon 26-Mar-18 11:10:11

Thanks for the advice!

Greyduster Mon 26-Mar-18 11:24:45

Agree with shinyredcar - don’t be in any hurry to do it yet! May is plenty early enough.

gillybob Mon 26-Mar-18 11:46:59

Oh dear . Mine are doomed then .

janeainsworth Mon 26-Mar-18 11:48:42

Mine too gilly.
I did them in February as instructed by Dr Hessayon!

mcem Mon 26-Mar-18 12:25:22

Glad I saw this - just in time!
Blue skies and sunshine today so was planning to do that very job this afternoon!

Scribbles Mon 26-Mar-18 12:33:51

Oh dear! I deadheaded mine during a beautiful couple of days in mid March because I thought any later wouldn't allow the new growth to flourish properly. I know nowt about gardening but I love hydrangeas and was pleased to find the new house had some when we moved here. Have I killed them? sad

gillybob Mon 26-Mar-18 12:38:48

Yes me too JaneA mine were very poor last year but great the year before (2016 and 2017 photos) . Both pruned in February .

Auntieflo Mon 26-Mar-18 13:07:40

Ooops, I may have not done mine any good either. We shall see.

Luckygirl Mon 26-Mar-18 13:52:55

I have just taken a look at them and I think I probably committed a faux pas in the autumn when I cut some of it back to clear a path. It looks as if the bits I cut back are on strike and the new buds are on old growth that I have not cut. Oops!!

lemongrove Mon 26-Mar-18 13:57:21

Pruned in late Feb as always.

janeainsworth Mon 26-Mar-18 14:57:30

Wow gilly the 2016 ones are very impressive! Hope they pull their finger out for you this year!
Perhaps you’d better have a few stern words with them grin

cavewoman Mon 26-Mar-18 15:14:01

I also did a little pruning yesterday.Now wondering if a frost protection plant fleece would be helpful?

mcem Mon 26-Mar-18 16:52:23

Well I turned my attention to a Clematis Montana and a Rose of Sharon bush. Seems a good time as I can see the new growth so was reasonably confident where I should chop!
Washed some pots and troughs.
Was delighted to find that the oxalis which I loved last year (identified with the help of GNetters) has survived. 2 plants have become 3 and are thriving.
Awaiting the arrival of stones to line the new pots and will then start planting.
Hydrangea looks very dried but the rhododendron in the pot next door has lots of fat healthy buds.

MawBroon Mon 26-Mar-18 19:29:47

Oops pruned my hydrangeas 10 days ago before repotting them in new containers.
We’re all doomed!

tessagee Mon 26-Mar-18 19:46:44

Just removed dead mop-heads from mine today as they are blowing into my neighbour's garden. However if the top buds get damaged I can simply prune down another level to the next bud. It's worked before and hope it does so again.

tessagee Mon 26-Mar-18 19:46:45

Just removed dead mop-heads from mine today as they are blowing into my neighbour's garden. However if the top buds get damaged I can simply prune down another level to the next bud. It's worked before and hope it does so again.

mumofmadboys Mon 26-Mar-18 21:51:32

I dead headed mine yesterday. Oops!!

dionar Sat 30-Jun-18 15:38:29

I pruned my hydrangeas last March. I cut some branches to the base and some are reduced by half. Got this plant from orchid republic last year.

Coolgran65 Sat 30-Jun-18 16:09:07

Gillybob love your hydraengeas, I have dried some of last year's and they are beautiful.
Is the silver ball a water feature? smile