One of the most popular questions I receive from customers is about their hydrangea not blooming. And the answer usually has to do with improper pruning. For some, this article may have arrived too late this season, but these plants are very forgiving of our sharp blades.
Each hydrangea has it’s own set of needs. Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly and popularly known as Mophead Hydrangea, is a species where the flowers are primarily produced on old wood while there are some varieties that produce on both old and new wood. But, what is old wood? Many shrubs form next year’s flowers from the previous year.
In late summer and fall as flowering has stopped, hydrangeas put their energy into next year’s show. It is best to prune these shrubs after they flower in the fall by one-third to control shape and size, or prune every other year. The Peegee Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata, blooms on new wood, the current season’s growth, and can be pruned back in late winter to early spring. They can be pruned to the ground, but flowers may flop. Popular varieties include Limelight and Grandiflora.
Some Mophead varieties to consider: old wood – All Summer Beauty, Madame Emile Mouillere, Nikko Blue; new wood – Blushing Bride, Endless Summer, Mini Penny, Penny Mac.
Consult with your local garden center about available hydrangea varieties. Stop in, call or email us and remember as a garden, it is always evolving.
Written by Lauren Popper, horticulturist at Cape Shore Gardens and graduate of Temple University’s School of Environmental Design.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
