Hydrangeas are a remarkable addition to any home garden. However, at times hydrangeas can go full seasons without blooming, causing panic that the plant may in fact be dead. Fear not though, there are a few reasons a hydrangea might not bloom, one of which is due to improper pruning. You don’t want to hurt your hydrangea, so learn the proper way to trim these gorgeous, flowering plants.
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Mophead Hydrangeas
Mopheads are the most popular variety of home garden hydrangeas. Mopheads generally don’t need to pruned unless they are five years of age or older. Flowers may bloom at different times of year depending on if they are on new or old wood. Remove the stems and dead blooms to improve the overall health of the plant. Prune mophead hydrangeas in summer – preferably before August – to ensure your hydrangeas bloom healthily the following summer. If you prune your hydrangeas too late in the year, you might accidentally trim buds that are a year away from blooming. Plant hydrangeas in spots where they have ample room to grow so that pruning them back isn’t a necessity.
For other species of old hydrangea, a safe rule is not to prune the plant until the flowers are fading. Also, many garden centers and nurseries now carry new species of hydrangeas that are a bit more predictable, and these experts can guide you on when to prune them.
Deadheading
Removing the dead heads off of your hydrangea will help increase the longevity of your plant. This can be done at any time of year, but be careful not to cut too far down the stem in late summer or you could potentially nip buds for the following year. To be safe, cut just below the flower head.
