The buds of hydrangeas and farmer's hydrangeas have a special feature: they form their buds the previous year. You can find out what this means for flower formation and pruning in this article.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to hydrangea buds?
Some types of hydrangeas form their buds in the summer for the coming year. This may make them more susceptible to frost in winter. This special feature should also be taken into account when pruning so that next year's blossoms are not removed in autumn.
When do hydrangeas set buds?
Some hydrangea varieties, including the popular farmer's hydrangea, do not set their buds in spring like other plants, but inautumn of the previous year. If the temperatures are still quite warm in autumn, the hydrangeas may sprout shortly before winter. This makes them more sensitive to cold and frost.
When does the hydrangea open its buds?
The hydrangea buds can openvery early depending on the weather. You can watch the flowers slowly open in May at the latest and then bloom throughout the summer from June onwards.
When can I do if hydrangeas don't sprout in spring?
If your hydrangeas don't sprout in spring, it's probably due toFrost Damage. If autumn was still very warm and budding has already begun, it may be that the sensitive buds froze over the winter. However, it is also possible that the first warm days were followed by frost again in spring, which can also cause frost damage.
Tip
Do not cut back farmer's hydrangea in autumn
Since some hydrangeas, such as the farmer's hydrangea, develop their buds in late summer, autumn is the wrong time for pruning. Instead, it's better to cut these hydrangeas back in early spring by shortening the shoots above the fresh pairs of buds.
