Gardeners can help hydrangeas stay strong through autumn by carrying out a simple deadheading task that takes just a few seconds. As the hydrangea flowering cycle winds down in late August, plants are showing signs of strain and appearing less vibrant than they were weeks ago.
Why deadhead hydrangeas in late August
Gardening specialists at Mill Creek Gardens explained that deadheading does not harm the plants. Removing spent blooms triggers flowering shrubs to stop producing seeds and instead put energy toward root and foliage development, making plants stronger and healthier.
The primary reason to remove fading blooms at this time of year is to encourage hydrangeas to direct more energy into producing larger leaves and stronger roots. This allows the plants to store greater reserves of energy in preparation for freezing temperatures, and a well-primed plant is more likely to produce more impressive blooms the following year.
How to deadhead hydrangeas
Deadheading takes no more than a few seconds or at most a couple of minutes. Identify any spent blooms that appear brown or wilted and trace the stem down to the first set of leaves. Using clean secateurs, snip the stem just above the healthy leaves, cutting only into the soft green stem and not the thicker, woodier sections.
Soggy, deteriorating blooms retain moisture, which can promote mould and other fungal diseases. Spending a few moments deadheading now significantly reduces the risk of hydrangeas becoming infected as autumn approaches.
At this time of year, it is advisable to keep a cloth soaked in alcohol handy to wipe down the secateur blades. Fungal disease and mould are particularly prevalent in late summer, and keeping the blades clean helps prevent infection from spreading.
Inspecting hydrangeas once a week to determine whether deadheading is required will help the plant emerge stronger and better equipped as autumn begins in September.
