Understand the regional conditions of each species to ensure you’re making the right cuts
Hydrangeas ( Hydrangeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) of all sort are presently among the most popular shrubs with gardener in the Southeast . Why ? First , a alluvion of improve cultivars has hit the market , many of which are superior to old varieties . These cultivars have truly increased the adaptability and landscape painting economic value of these shrub . Second , you could now encounter a hydrangea that fits almost any landscape situation at most garden retail merchant .
Some , but not all , hydrangea are grown for the flowers they bring out . By know and understandinghow to prune these shrubs , you may further healthy , vigorous plants that blossom well . Below are some guideline for how to maturate and prune the most common type of hydrangeas , with some regional tip that keep in mind the effects of our clime on these shrubs .
What type of hydrangea do you have?
Traditionally , hydrangeas have been pose into two primary groups : those that bloom on Ellen Price Wood produced during the late time of year ( old forest ) , and those that bloom on the current season ’s development ( young wood ) . Knowing the difference between these two type will give you the enceinte hint on when to prune . Plants that blossom on old wood make their flower bud in the latest part of the originate season . prune them in the dusk or winter month will absent next class ’s flowers . plant that flower on new forest can be pruned if desired in belated winter or early spring . Pruningas far back as you need is typically OK and often done just above a leaf marijuana cigarette . Cutting unexampled Natalie Wood plant life back within the same season poses no peril to their flowers as long as it ’s done after the flowers bloom .
Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood
For the following old Ellen Price Wood hydrangeas , prune only if necessary , particularly if shaping is desired . Leave strong - look growth with bud standing when possible . Prune out any dead Ellen Price Wood that might be present . In the Southeast , if pruning is needed or trust , prune after flowering but before the Fourth of July .
Bigleaf hydrangeas
Hydrangea macrophyllacvs . , Zones 5–9
Without a incertitude , bigleaf hydrangeasare one of the works that result to the most frustration in theSoutheast . Because of our leaning for other spring warmups followed by unexpected frosts , bloom buds are often damaged . New plant breeding has now brought us more cultivars that still give us some flush after frost damage . However — and it ’s hard for me to say this — we do n’t have the ideal climate for this type of hydrangea in most portion of our area . If you must have a bigleaf hydrangea , plant it in a protected area with morning sun and afternoon shade . Dedicate yourearly springto incubate the plant with a bedsheet every sentence frost is in the forecast .
Mountain hydrangeas
Hydrangea serratacvs . , Zones 4–9
If you have n’t had success with bigleaf hydrangeas , perhapsmountain hydrangeasarebetter suited for your garden . They offer more bud hardiness and more consistent bloom than bigleaf hydrangea for our realm . Many of the cultivars have lacecap blooms , which can be beneficial topollinators . In the Southeast , morning sun and good afternoon shade are the ideal circumstance for these plant life . For more about mess hydrangea , read on here .
Oakleaf hydrangeas
Hydrangea quercifoliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9
Southeastern native industrial plant , oakleaf hydrangeascan find a home in almost any landscape in the region with an troy ounce of shade to dispense with . While they are perhaps a little clumsy - looking compare to other hydrangeas , their cock-a-hoop , bluff leafage remain about evergreen for gardeners in the Southeast . Plant them on the boundary of woodlandsen masseor as foundation works in the garden . Oakleaf hydrangeas have shallow roots and perform best with reproducible , faint mulching and supplementary water in the hottest part of the rise season . It ’s also important to mention that the display offall coloron this plant life far surpasses that of any other hydrangeas .
Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood
Perhaps you’re able to say these types of hydrangeas are a trivial more free - bouncy . Each blooms on increment produced in spring and other summer . bring down them back within the same season is not a job . Because of their easygoing nature , both of the following hydrangea have become some of the most desirable shrubs for gardeners in the Southeast .
Panicle hydrangeas
Hydrangea paniculatacvs . , Zones 3–9
It ’s hard to keep track of the flood of newpanicle hydrangeacultivars that have come to market in the last 15 year , let in more - thickset ones that are thoroughgoing forsmall gardens . Hardy through most of the United States and capable of handling full sun with repose , these hydrangeas are becoming America ’s favorite landscape painting shrubs . They are also among the most environmentally adaptable hydrangeas . They are hard for the inexperient gardener to mess up up . Additionally , many of the newest cultivar let in flora that are the perfect landscape painting size for minuscule garden . For more specific bakshis about pruning panicle hydrangea in the Southeast , show on here .
Smooth hydrangeas
Hydrangea arborescensspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9
I often seesmooth hydrangeasgrowing in and around our neighborhood . In the wild , you might not even recognize it as such when compare with modern cultivars declare oneself at garden centers . Primarily billed as a tincture lover , I find most gardener in the Southeast can also produce this plant life in full sun provided there is adequate wet . Native , hardy , and authentic , this shrub has bloomed for me without fail every yr . Several fresh dwarf cultivar have pay gardener with very small garden the opportunity to grow this plant .
Hydrangeas for every garden
It must be say that when it comes to pruning hydrangeas , in many cases doing nothing is fine . Not every hydrangea needs to be pruned every twelvemonth . But sometimes shaping or cutting off dead Sir Henry Wood is desire . When researching which industrial plant is right for you , know that the hydrangea covered here are just the beginning . In fact , they are just the most democratic . There are other species of hydrangea that gardeners in the Southeast can add to their garden . For more about hydrangea , watch out :
And for more Southeast regional reports , clickhere .
— Andy Pulte is a staff member in the plant sciences section at the University of Tennessee .
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Knowing whether your hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood and when it sets buds is the key to understanding pruning. This Little Lime® panicle hydrangea (H. panicultata‘Jane’, Zones 3-8) blooms on new wood.Photo: Andy Pulte
Bigleaf hydrangeas are beloved for their showy flowers, but they don’t perform reliably in the Southeast. Pictured is ‘Decatur Blue’ bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla‘Decatur Blue’, Zones 6–9).Photo: Jennifer Benner
Mountain hydrangeas’ lacecap flowers are beloved by pollinators. Pictured is ‘Beni Gaku’ mountain hydrangea (H. serrata‘Beni Gaku’, Zones 5–9).Photo: Andy Pulte
Oakleaf hydrangeas have some of the showiest foliage of any hydrangea. Pictured is ‘Ruby Slippers’ oakleaf hydreangea (H. quercifolia‘Ruby Slippers’, Zones 5–9).Photo: Michelle Gervais
Panicle hydrangeas can adapt to many different growing conditions. Pictured is Little Lime®panicle hydrangea.Photo: Andy Pulte
Smooth hydrangeas are ultra-reliable and very hardy. Pictured is ‘Annabelle’ smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens‘Annabelle’, Zones 3–8).Photo: Jennifer Benner
