Hydrangeas are usually only lightly pruned. However, there are occasions that require radical pruning. In this article you will learn how best to do this and when is the best time to do it.
What needs to be taken into account when radically cutting back hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas cope well with radical pruning, but they need a lot of time until they produce new flowers again. Diseases, pests, temperature influences or an old age of the hydrangea are reasons for pruning. Pruning is done just above the ground, ideally during the winter months.
How well do hydrangeas tolerate radical pruning?
Hydrangeas usually tolerate radical pruning very wellgood However, in contrast to other plants, they recover from it rather slowly. While heavy pruning on other plants causes them to immediately sprout more vigorously, on hydrangeas it ensures that the flowers stop blooming for at least one season. For this reason, the radical cut, also known as the rejuvenation cut, requires some patience.
When does a radical pruning make sense and when does it not?
A radical pruning makes sense if your hydrangeas
- suffering from a fungal infection,
- are infested with pests,
- dried branches,
- frozen to death after winter,
- got sunburned due to intense heat or
- are already older and need to be rejuvenated.
How do you proceed with a radical pruning?
If you do a radical pruning, cut off the affected shootsa hand's breadth above the ground. Make the cut clean and straight so that the cut can heal quickly. This is how you protect the plant as best as possible from fungal infestation and frost.
When is the best time for a radical pruning?
The best time to radically prune hydrangeas is inWinter. Wait for a dry and frost-free day, this reduces the risk of frost damage. However, if you notice one of the reasons listed above for a radical cut at another time, the cut should be done immediately. Depending on the type of hydrangea and its pruning group, for example farmer's hydrangeas, pruning in autumn may result in buds that have already formed being damaged or cut off. In the case of a radical pruning, regardless of the cutting group, it must be expected that the following flower will not bloom.
Tip
Federal Nature Conservation Act only allows pruning from October to February
The radical pruning of trees, bushes and other trees is legally regulated in Section 39 Paragraph 5 BNatSchG. According to this, trees may not be removed or put on the stick between March 1st and September 30th. This also includes the radical pruning of hydrangea bushes.