This plant is grown primarily for its oak leaf shaped foliage, excellent fall color, attractive flowers, and interesting winter bark. Hydrangea quercifolia – Oakleaf Hydrangea Zone 5-9 When established, prune out all lifeless stubs and prune back all the shoots to their lowest pair of healthy buds above the woody framework. Cut back all weak branches leaving 3 or 4 of the strongest measuring at about 10-24 inches. It is best to promote a strong woody framework when these plants are young. It can, however, be developed into a single or multi-stemmed tree form. Without regular pruning, this hydrangea can rapidly become overgrown and out of scale in the landscape. Thin and/or cut back the previous season’s growth in late winter or early spring, since flower clusters occur on newly developing branches. This species responds very well to annual pruning by producing much larger flower heads. Pruning involves the removal of dead flowers, if unattractive, and annual corrective pruning of vigorous shoots. They gradually turn pink and remain on the plant in a semi-dried condition long after the leaves have fallen. This is a commonly planted hydrangea because of its massive displays of large, white, panicle-shaped flowers in mid to late-summer. Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle Hydrangea Zone 4-8 Create a woody framework by removing some branches to the ground cut others back at varying heights from 1 to 3 feet. If a larger shrub is desired (3+feet) and/or it is not killed back over the winter, prune less severely. It can be pruned to the ground line each winter or early spring because it flowers abundantly on new growth, and is frequently killed back during winter. Many gardeners grow this species in hedges. This hydrangea is grown for its huge white blooms which appear in profusion in spring and summer. Hydrangea arborescens – Smooth Hydrangea Zone 4-7(8) New growth, both vegetative and reproductive, will not develop proper maturity which increases its vulnerability to winter dieback. Pruning this species too late in the fall (September) is harmful. Many suggest to perform only deadheading (removal just below the flower) or clean-up (removal of shoots damaged by winter or late spring frosts) pruning at this time, especially when growing this species in colder zones. Early spring pruning (March), although acceptable, may result in the sacrificing of bloom for that growing season. Always try to keep several stems of old productive wood, with a sufficient number of stout new stems that will flower the following season. ![]() Remove at the base some of the weaker shoots that are both old and new. Prune as soon as the flowers have faded and strong shoots are developing from the lower parts of the stems and crown. Late summer is more widely practiced since this type flowers only from the end buds of upright or lateral shoots produced during late summer and fall of the previous season. Pruning can be accomplished at two different times: late summer or early spring. There are also several white flowered cultivars. Once moved outdoors, flower color is dependent upon the availability of aluminum in the soil and the pH of the soil in which it is grown: blue if acid pink if alkaline. It is frequently forced by florists and sold as an indoor pot plant during the spring season. This is a commonly grown hydrangea with either large globe-shaped flowers (mophead) or flattened heads of tiny fertile flowers surrounded by a ring of larger, sterile, showy sepals (lacecap). ![]() Hydrangea macrophylla – Mophead or Lacecap Hydrangea Zone (5)6-9 and Hydrangea serrata Zone (5)6-7 It is important to know the identity of the hydrangea in the landscape so the proper pruning technique can be implemented. There are many different types of hydrangeas many require different methods of pruning. These deciduous, medium to large shrubs provide color from midsummer to autumn when few other plants are in bloom. Hydrangeas are classic garden shrubs prized for their beauty, durability and diversity of flower color – from pink to purple and blue to white.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |