The hydrangea is a timeless classic in the garden. It brightens up the space with its generous flowers, which come in various colors and shapes.
However, to enjoy a spectacular and abundant bloom every year, one key step should not be overlooked: pruning hydrangeas. Do you really know when and how to do it? Here are detailed explanations.
The different varieties of hydrangeas and their specifics
Are you looking for the perfect variety for your garden? Here’s a brief overview of the main hydrangeas available to you:
Hydrangea macrophylla, the unmissable star
The large, richly colored flower balls of Hydrangea macrophylla look stunning in borders, especially in shady or partially shaded areas.
This type of hydrangea features deciduous foliage with elegant red autumn tones. You can find white, pink, purple, or even bluish flowers depending on the selected varieties.
The climbing hydrangea, ideal for walls
Looking to enhance a fence or shaded wall? Choose Hydrangea petiolaris, which can reach up to 10 meters in height and boasts beautiful white, sometimes slightly pinkish, flower clusters.
Unlike its relatives, it often retains its foliage year-round, thus beautifully decorating your façades.
The panicled hydrangea, sun-tolerant
If you have a sunny spot, Hydrangea paniculata is the perfect choice. It withstands the sun better than other species and has stunning cone-shaped flowers. Its subtle palette may include white, pink, or even a hint of lime green.
Properly planting your hydrangeas for their health
The ideal planting time is in autumn, or in early spring after the frosts have passed. Here’s how to do it right:
- Install your plant in acidic, cool, and rich soil, particularly without limestone.
- For pot cultivation, prepare an equal mixture of heather soil, garden soil, and enriched potting soil.
Don’t forget to mulch the base of your hydrangeas with pine bark. This helps retain moisture and slightly acidifies the soil.
Caring for hydrangeas throughout the year
Your hydrangeas will require regular maintenance:
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Add compost in autumn, especially if your soil is limestone (then add heather earth, iron, and aluminum).
- For potted plants, apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring, followed by a light layer of compost in autumn.
- Remember to repot your potted hydrangeas every 2 to 3 years, or at least refresh the top layer of substrate (topping technique).
- Protected from severe frost with a winter cover, your potted hydrangeas will hibernate peacefully. If necessary, place them in a cool but bright spot.
When to prune your hydrangeas?
The pruning period depends on the variety and the climate:
- Paniculated or shrub varieties like ‘Vanille Fraise’ or ‘Annabelle’ require two prunings, in autumn and spring.
- The deciduous climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) is pruned just after its summer bloom, in July. The evergreen climber (Hydrangea seemanii) is not pruned until after the spring frosts.
Pruning in autumn: how to proceed?
In autumn, proceed with maintenance pruning:
- Remove dead or weakened branches, as well as those that intertwine and suffocate the plant.
- In regions where winters are mild, remove faded flowers using a sharp pruner, cutting just above a bud.
- In harsh climates, leave those faded flowers in place. They will effectively protect the plant from the cold and provide a decorative appearance.
- Renew and reinforce the mulching around the base.
Effectively prune in spring
Once the threat of frost has passed, systematically prune:
- Cut off the faded flowers that remained in place.
- Remove completely dead wood and possibly rejuvenate the oldest branches to refresh the shrub (1 large branch out of 3).
- If you want larger but fewer flowers, cut short, above an eye, about two-thirds of the stems that bloomed the previous year.
Special case: climbing hydrangeas
Note: wait until your climbing hydrangea has firmly established itself (about 3 years) before starting to prune.
Each summer, remove damaged or poorly positioned branches and control your plant by shaping it as desired. Do this in July for petiolaris and in spring after frost for seemanii.
If you are a gardener who follows the lunar calendar, know that your hydrangeas particularly appreciate a more effective pruning done during the descending moon. This will optimize their health and beauty!
So, are you ready to wield the pruners for your hydrangeas? Share your experiences with us! Have you ever tried pruning different varieties? Do you see visible results based on your methods? Your gardening tips interest us, so feel free to share them in the comments!
