Hydrangeas are undoubtedly one of the most beloved plants that homeowners grow in their gardens; however, they can soon begin to fade when the summer reaches its peak.
If you're sorting out your garden this weekend and have noticed that your once colourful hydrangeas have become brown and crispy, you may be tempted to get your garden shears out. It's natural to add pruning and cutting back to our summer gardening jobs list, but sometimes that can be the worst thing for your plants.
There are so many plants you should never prune in summer, and a gardening expert has revealed why hydrangeas belong on that list, and why making the mistake of pruning can have a detrimental effect on your plant.
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Even when you've been watering your hydrangeas as often as you should, they will turn brown over time during the summer months. This is part of their natural cycle and not something to panic about. Just don't be quick to act and pull out your secateurs.
"If your hydrangeas have finished flowering, don't be tempted to prune them just yet. Those faded flower heads might not look the best, but they actually help protect the buds underneath from frost in the winter," says Mili Ward-Beazley, Creative Garden Consultant and content creator at @good.garden.club on Instagram.
"Instead, leave the flower heads in place over autumn and winter. They'll also add interest and beautiful structure to your garden over the colder months," she explains.
They'll coexist with your plants for autumn colour nicely and add a little dimension to your space without needing to plant or care for another addition to your garden.
After you've protected your plants from frost and winter draws to a close, that's when you can pull out your essential gardening tools and get to pruning your hydrangeas.
"When spring arrives, and you can see new growth emerging, simply snip off the old flower heads back to the first pair of healthy buds. A little patience now means a much better display of blooms next summer," continues Mili.
Ensure you're pruning hydrangeas correctly for the best results, and then you'll have your favourite flowers back in action in no time.
Want more hydrangeas in your garden next year? Learning how to take hydrangea cuttings is a cost-effective way of doubling their beauty and filling your space with even more of the fluffy florals.
