Gardeners are being urged to avoid a common hydrangea pruning mistake this September, as experts suggest holding off on preparing gardens for winter. Michael Griffiths, known as @michaelgriffiths on social media, has shared his top recommendations for caring for hydrangeas in autumn to ensure they flourish next year.
Leave Hydrangeas Untouched in September
While his guidance varies depending on the hydrangea variety, Griffiths typically advises leaving plants untouched in September, as the blooms can maintain their appeal throughout autumn, albeit in a transformed state. However, for those who prefer not to view their plants once they have peaked, he notes there are certain varieties suitable for pruning.
He said: "The ones you can prune are your smooth or panicle hydrangeas - like Annabelles." Since these varieties produce flowers on new wood, he clarified that you can trim them back to just above a pair of buds.
Varieties to Avoid Pruning
Nevertheless, he cautioned gardeners against reaching for their secateurs with other varieties. "For your bigleaf and oakleaf varieties that flower on old wood, put the secateurs away. It's not time to prune them yet," he added.
His recommendations generated considerable debate among fellow gardening enthusiasts, with some recounting their own hydrangea cultivation experiences. One user said: "I'm shook my big leaf just produced 4 new flowers on new wood. So confusing!" Another added: "Mine haven't bloomed in 2 years after 5 years of blooms! What have I done wrong! Help."
Gardener Tips and Autumn Jobs
A third asked: "I have Annabelles and want really big heads next year, how far down is best to prune them? This year I got lots of small heads so think I didn't do a hard enough prune of them maybe?"
One gardener revealed their extensive experience, commenting: "My Annabelles are 22 years old. I cut them down to about 8 inches every fall and they always come back beautifully. Some of the blooms have been over 12" wide." Another added: "Mine didn't like this heat wave. Not looking good but will survive."
Additional autumn gardening jobs include planting spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and crocuses in September and October, caring for the lawn by scarifying and aerating, clearing debris and leaves, pruning and dividing perennials, trimming hedges and roses, and protecting tender plants by moving them into a greenhouse or sheltered area.
