It's August: Stop Pruning Your Hydrangeas (northern hemisphere)

Рет қаралды 27,974

2 жыл бұрын

Wondering when to prune your hydrangeas? At the time I'm shooting this video (August) I'm going to throw up a caution on timing. Many hydrangeas set flower buds on older wood - so the mopheads, the lacecap, oakleaf and climbing groups will lose flowering potential with a late summer prune. You can still prune to remove dead, diseased or damaged stems or to correct major structural problems with your shrub. Other than that, it's maybe better to wait until the following spring comes and goes, and then prune after flowering.
If you find these videos useful, there are a few little things you can do to help me out:
Have a look at our Amazon shop: www.amazon.com/shop/fraserval...
Follow our farm on Instagram: / fraservalleyrosefarm
Like us on Facebook: / fraservalleyrosefarm
Or better yet, subscribe to this KZfaq channel: kzfaq.info...
And for a place to indulge in random garden anarchy: / unrulyrosesociety
Photo credits:
Annabelle hydrangea by daryl mitchell CC BY-SA 2.0
Mophead hydrangea by H. Zell CC BY-SA 3.0

Пікірлер: 78

@laurenecarter246 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for including us southern hemisphere dwellers! I'm in Australia and I spend half my time figuring out my timing in comparison to what is mentioned in youtube channels (and don't get me started on zones!)

@edwardhernandez442 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jason! Your knowledge is much appreciated!

@vixiepixie1000 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought one today so perfect timing xxxx

@xtina4968 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for great reminder ....i love any color hydrangea ...they're beautiful

@capbin146 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jason I bought hydrangeas this year so I’ll try to remember this tip.

@kimwalden3280 2 жыл бұрын

Southern Hemisphere Christchurch, New Zealand. Buds are forming. Just pruned mine. Spring is nearly here 🌺 awesome channel

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kim

@debquilt 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jason. I really enjoy your videos and all the great information you provide.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Deb.

@GardenUPLandscape 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips, thank you! I usually just don't prune Hydrangeas at all unless they really need it (except for dead wood of course)

@hualani6785 2 жыл бұрын

Great help Except up country (above 3500ft/1000m elevation) Hawaii, w/Hydrangea year round. These pruning tips are still helpful, just w/need to adjust the timing for peaks bloom.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hualani!

@jenniewilliamsmural 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jason!

@DCA55 2 жыл бұрын

The other exception are the endless summer varieties that bloom on new and old wood.

@breakingburque2200 2 жыл бұрын

My yard is in need of some hydrangeas they’re so pretty.

@wenzhendong4850 2 жыл бұрын

Really like your show! A quick question, if l may. I get a Glowing Ember this year and am lucky enough to see a docent blooming this very first season. I cut off the flowers heads just yesterday 😭. Does this type require pruning next blooming season only? Also do l need to protect it for winter heavily? I live in Toronto area. Thank you!

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Glowing Embers does require mature wood to bloom, so at this point I'd refrain from pruning for the remainder of the summer/fall. It's hardy to zone 6, which matches Toronto, so I don't suspect you'll have to provide additional protection.

@chandraprasad1244 2 жыл бұрын

Last year my gardener pruned the mop head hydrangea and it did not produce a single bloom this year.

@aromanesence2275 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree, August is pretty late to be doing it. I just made a video recently on cutting them back. Is it normal for them to create buds after August? I’ve seen mine do that, but then again mine are practically ancient. Love your channel!

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks - the timing will vary quite a bit by climate, so even as I say "August" my local area is fairly mild and I might get away with an early September pruning. In a good autumn, the shrubs still have time to grow and ripen new stems. For those with a shorter season, late pruning is a much larger gamble.

@amysantiago7621 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Jason, thank you for your very informative videos! They are much appreciated. I have two questions on pruning a rose Bush I have and my mop head hydrangea. So the first question is about pruning my Julia Child yellow rose bushes. I had heard you don’t prune in August you allow the rose hips to set up, but not sure if my Julia child can be pruned or just clip the dead roses Off, can I do that in Mid August? Second question is my mop head hydrangea/ my husband and I bought an older home and the home owner before us had planted in the back yard I am assuming years ago. Well, we didn’t know ( new Gardner’s here, he clipped it all the way down- last Fall. So this year we only had like 4 blooms- and I did research it grew new stalks on old wood. So it’s huge but only 4 blooms and I fertilized it 2 times this year. Will new blooms set for the coming year, also when is a good time to prune this Bush? I get dappled sun in my back yard. Thank you so much - Amy

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Amy - you're exactly right about the hydrangea, it needs mature wood to set blooms and your late prune last year most likely removed most of that wood. The good news is that you've now had a year of growth, and that mature growth will be able to bloom next year. If it needs pruning/reshaping, the best time would be after that flush of blooms (but early enough to allow for some new growth and ripened stems before winter). Julia Child is pretty tolerant of pruning any time, and you can continue light deadheading for as long as you want. You could also opt to let the hips ripen, but that's just a cosmetic decision. I'd hold of on heavy structural pruning until first thing in the spring.

@wenzhendong4850 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your fast response, Jason! Wonder what the reason could be? Is it because pruning the flowers heads now will encourage the plant to bud for flower right away however the weather will turn to cold soon? The bud won't survive through winter?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

It's more about the stems than flowers. This year's new growth needs a bit of time in fall to form dormant buds for next year's flowering. If you thin a little, or harvest some stems for propagation (or cut flowers) it's not a big problem, but if you tackle it as a full structural prune (taking off all of this year's growth, for instance) you run the risk that any subsequent new growth the plant grows this year will not have time to set those buds. In a mild fall/winter climate, you might get away with an August (or indeed even September) pruning, but it's risky.

@wenzhendong4850 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm l hear you. I only cut off the dead flowers' heads, didn't trim nor cut it down at all. Just don't want to see the dry flowers 🤣. No problem. Will not touch it until summer next year after the bloom starts again, eight?

@joshg9143 2 жыл бұрын

Jason, can I still prune for cuttings to heal in before winter? Thanks again.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Josh. Yes - I definitely continue to propagate from my mother plants, and I don't mind that it may remove some of the early flowering wood from the next season. Getting newly propagated plants more than makes up for it.

@annecosgrove2133 2 жыл бұрын

Can I deadhead? I have a variety that was gorgeous in June, full of blue blooms. Now it's all brown. I don't intend to go past the bloom itself, but also get rid of dead canes and then prune in late winter. Thanks.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, so long as you're just after the spent blooms and don't go down the stems to remove, that's just fine.

@simonestreeter1518 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We have a new plant we put in this spring, and it has some nice blooms, some which are beginning to fade. My question: is it ok to cut just the bloom, say where it comes up from a node of two new sprouts? I'd like to dry them.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Sure - it's really more about the stems themselves. So long as you leave a good amount of maturing wood on the shrub, there should be new flower buds for the coming season.

@simonestreeter1518 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thanks for replying! I'll try to use good judgement. :)

@dayneallensheetsftm 9 ай бұрын

I have a mophead that blooms abundantly but is getting too tall and large (blocking a window). I know to only deadhead it but need to know how far down i can go and when. I'm on the Washington state/Canada border and it is the first of October. We havent gotten our first frost yet but want to do it before the night temps get down into the low 40's. Your advice please. Its very happy, but too large.😊

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 9 ай бұрын

I'd probably wait until late winter / early spring. There's not a lot of difference in terms of ripe wood between now and then, but I think winter cold on freshly trimmed stems could result in some additional stem damage. Whether now or then, you'll cost yourself some blooms, but that's just part of keeping the shrub in a desirable size and shape.

@nurrettemich 2 жыл бұрын

I have a mophead hydrangea that has been suffering from the worst fungal infection. Most of the leaves have been picked off, but it’s still extremely present, but it’s not on the newest forming leaves. I’ve already forgone flowering from this year because I pruned it late last year. The whole plant is HUGE and it’s getting pretty tall and I’d hate to lose a plant that’s been here as long as this beauty has. Any suggestions for how to bring her back?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Teaghan - it sounds like you've been taking some of the right steps already. Like roses, hydrangeas can get a number of foliar diseases that can be worse when there's persistent moisture and poor air circulation. At this point, I'd have a look at thinning cuts to some of the older wood inside the shrub. The nice thing about thinning cuts is that you're eliminating a whole stem, but the ones you leave in place can still develop buds for next year's flowering. The goal id to get some space in the center of the shrub so that good air flow can allow the foliage to dry down promptly after rain or watering. A really good clean up of any dropped foliage and dead/diseased stems will help to reduce spores, and you can use something like sulfur spray to further reduce the spread of the fungus.

@TheToadPad 2 жыл бұрын

What about continuing to cut flowers? Is that ok? Thanks in advance.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

It's a value judgement. I keep on cutting for propagation and I also don't mind taking stems for the vase - but I also know that it might cost me some earl bloom the next year.

@reginaramirez7339 2 жыл бұрын

I have some dead flowers on my hydrangea bush right now. Should I trim those back and just cut the dead wood? I live in the FL panhandle near Alabama so it’s still warm here. The leaves are all still green but the stalks are very long. Wondering if I should do any other trimming besides the flower heads?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

That sounds about right - deadheading is always okay. It's the mature stems that you're trying to protect. Removal of dead and diseased wood is always okay too.

@ericfawcett2875 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jason, i wonder if you can help me, a week ago i noticed a minute bug on my patio rose, even smaller than a grain of sand and there was thousands of them on minute webs, fast forward to today and most of the leaves have died and dropped off, i spayed them with rose clear and it didn't touch them any ideas please.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

The webbing makes me think they're spider mites. Here's my vid on the topic: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o69lrdKotMfHZn0.html I would strip the leaves with visible webbing or "bronzing" (an orange/yellow tone on the leaves that indicates severe infection). And treat the remaining with insecticidal soap or oil as show in the video.

@raymundsantos2324 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jason, my hybrid tea rose before got tall and lanky. I pruned it half its height and sealed the cut with white wood glue but the stem dried out still. Can you grow hybrid tea roses with only light pruning? Or in a pot?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Raymund - yes, you can manage with light pruning each time after flowering, just to manage shape and size. A large pot works fine for me with some HTs and floribunda roses.

@raymundsantos2324 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you very much!

@jlnriddick 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jason... I'm so sorry to be off-topic but I'd like to know if you can recommend a variety of Rose that I might be successful with, even though I know bupkis about growing roses. There may even be a video of yours that would be a great reference. I'm happy to do the research myself if you could point me in the right direction in terms of a very traditional looking Rose, similar to the type you might find in a purchased bouquet. Color doesn't really matter, and size isn't a huge issue either. I'd just like a simple Rose that a beginner might do well with. I'm in zone 6 (Buffalo, NY), and as I said, I'm happy to "study hard" before I purchase. I simply don't know where to start. Thanks so much, Jason! Oh, and right, I won't touch my Hydrangeas at this point! I learned that the hard way! EDIT... Sorry to have made you read all that only to find you have PLENTY of helpful videos on this very topic. My apologies! Enjoy the late summer weather, Jason!

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'd look for something by Kordes. They're tough and easy! 'Beverly' (or anything from the Eleganza series). 'Summer Romance', 'Bliss', 'South Africa', 'Desmond Tutu'.

@jlnriddick 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Wow, thank you so much! I'm on it!

@hammockmonk 10 ай бұрын

I moved in to a new house in September and the HOA has been sheering the hydrangeas so they are very congested at the center. Is it okay to thin the plants by cutting out some stems at the base?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 10 ай бұрын

You bet. If you'd be thinning in spring anyway, you won't be sacrificing any flowers to get a head start on it now.

@coastaljan6193 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jason. I live in Prince Rupert and have a "mop head." It is overgrown, but full of blooms this year. In fact, it's still blooming. Three years or four years ago, it bloomed in June, but for the past few years it's late July or early August. In fact, it's still getting new blooms. Can I prune after blooming this year, or should I wait?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Does it really need the pruning? That would be my first question. If it just needs a little reshaping, you can do some selective pruning or thinning that won't cost much in the way of next year's blooms (so long as you leave some mature stems standing), and I'd try to get to it sooner rather than later.

@coastaljan6193 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thanks for replying, Jason. It has gotten out of hand. It was my Mom's baby, and it bloomed profusely in 2016, the year she passed. Then not much for the next few years until this year. I'm not sure if I can attach a photo in KZfaq, but I'll try. Part of it was falling over on one side, pre-bloom. I tried tying around the whole thing but wasn't very successful.

@lusnorthernhome3410 2 жыл бұрын

My hydrangea bloomed terrific it’s first year. Then for 5 years no blooms beautiful green leaves, last year had one bloom and none this year. Has been fertilized and no pruning for going on 7 years.

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if the winter cold is damaging the buds (which would have the same effect as a late pruning)

@lusnorthernhome3410 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t see buds at all even now it’s like it’s gone dormant. Thank you

@christinekelley4463 2 жыл бұрын

Can I still cut flowers from it for bouquets tho, can I?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Christine. It's a judgement call. I continue to cut stems for propagation, and I wouldn't hesitate to take some stems for a bouquet either - but I know that it might cost me some early flowers for next year.

@hurnebilbil5241 2 жыл бұрын

Can i prune my hydrangea (mophead) this august im from the philippines(southern hemisphere)? Thanks in advance

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

When it comes to more tropical areas, I can't offer any expertise. I looked it up on a tropical forum, and it they more or less said the timing of pruning isn't an issue - just maintain in good conditions and reshape as needed following a flush of blooms.

@janisstuart18 2 жыл бұрын

Do you leave the mophead flowers on the plant?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

I'm still getting some color - and so I usually go back in the spring and snap off the old flowers when the shrub begins to send new growth.

@janisstuart18 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you very much.

@robbiegeboy2524 2 жыл бұрын

When is the best time to move a large hardy hibiscus plant?

@gabbyferreira4786 2 жыл бұрын

I just did mine, took a big chance but I put so water it’s doing good, I would say early spring if you are afraid of doing it now

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

Dormant season is fine - just also be aware that the hardy hibiscus takes a long time to break dormancy in spring, so don't assume that your moving killed the plant and give up on it too soon.

@teresabarbee6260 11 ай бұрын

I live in Georgia and my mop heads are in way too Much sun and getting burnt .. can I prune them now ?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 11 ай бұрын

You bet

@teresabarbee6260 11 ай бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm great .. I’m planning to move them next spring I suppose .. I have 3 and they’re really getting too much sun so I have to do something..

@vixiepixie1000 2 жыл бұрын

When should I prune? Thank you x

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

For most varieties, you should prune next summer after blooming, and try to get it done before August.

@gabbyferreira4786 2 жыл бұрын

Jason, do you sell climbing roses to people like us ?

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

I sell roses locally through most of the year, and I also ship roses within Canada in the early spring.

@gabbyferreira4786 2 жыл бұрын

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm , do you have a website? I live in New England

@FraserValleyRoseFarm 2 жыл бұрын

I do. www.fraservalleyrosefarm.com - we don't ship to the US yet, but I'm still looking at the possibility for future years. Getting plants across international borders is not a fun process.