Hydrangeas, with their captivating blooms in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white, are a garden favorite. However, to ensure a continuous display of these floral jewels, deadheading is essential. This practice, while seemingly simple, plays a crucial role in promoting healthy growth and abundant flowering. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about deadheading hydrangeas, from understanding the different types to mastering the proper techniques.
Understanding Hydrangea Types and Their Blooming Habits
Before you grab your pruning shears, it’s crucial to understand that not all hydrangeas are created equal. Different varieties bloom on different types of wood – either old wood (growth from the previous year) or new wood (growth from the current year). Incorrectly deadheading can significantly impact, and even eliminate, the following year’s flower display.
The Distinction Between Old Wood and New Wood Bloomers
Old wood bloomers, like the popular Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea) and Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea), set their flower buds on the previous year’s growth. This means the buds that will bloom next summer are already present on the stems by late summer or fall of the current year.
New wood bloomers, such as Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) and Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea), produce flowers on the current year’s growth. They develop their buds in the spring and bloom later in the summer.
Identifying Your Hydrangea Variety
Knowing which type of hydrangea you have is paramount. If you’re unsure, consider these clues.
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Bloom Time: Old wood bloomers generally flower earlier in the season, usually in early to mid-summer. New wood bloomers tend to bloom later, from mid-summer into fall.
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Stem Appearance: It can be hard to distinguish between the stems. Generally, try to remember if you see buds forming on bare stems in the late autumn and winter. This suggests that it is an old wood bloomer.
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Leaf Shape: Hydrangea quercifolia is easily identified by its oak-shaped leaves. Hydrangea paniculata usually has elongated cone shaped flowers.
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Flower Shape: Different hydrangea species exhibit distinct flower shapes, such as the classic mophead, lacecap, and conical panicles.
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Purchase Records: If you purchased your hydrangea, check the plant tag or your records for the specific variety.
The Benefits of Deadheading Hydrangeas
Deadheading offers numerous advantages for your hydrangeas, contributing to their overall health and aesthetic appeal.
Encouraging New Growth
Removing spent blooms redirects the plant’s energy towards producing new growth. This leads to stronger stems, healthier foliage, and ultimately, more abundant flowers in the future.
Improving Appearance
Dead, brown flower heads are not particularly attractive. Deadheading instantly enhances the plant’s appearance, creating a neater and more visually appealing garden.
Preventing Disease
Spent blooms can become susceptible to fungal diseases. Removing them eliminates a potential source of infection and helps maintain the plant’s health.
Promoting Further Blooming
For some hydrangea varieties, particularly reblooming types, deadheading encourages the plant to produce a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Deadheading Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide
The deadheading technique varies depending on whether your hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood.
Deadheading Old Wood Bloomers
With old wood bloomers, such as Bigleaf and Oakleaf hydrangeas, proceed with caution. Avoid heavy pruning as you risk removing the flower buds for the following year. The key is to only remove the spent flower head, taking care not to cut back the stem excessively.
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Identify the Spent Flower Head: Look for faded, brown, or dried-out flower heads.
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Cut Carefully: Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut the stem just below the flower head, removing only the spent bloom. Cut back to the first set of leaves beneath the flower.
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Avoid Cutting Below the First Set of Leaves: Cutting too far down the stem can remove developing buds for the next season.
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Remove Dead or Diseased Stems: If you notice any dead or diseased stems, you can remove them entirely, cutting them back to the base of the plant. This can be done at any time of year.
It’s very important to remember that these hydrangeas benefit from a light deadheading approach.
Deadheading New Wood Bloomers
Deadheading new wood bloomers, like Panicle and Smooth hydrangeas, is more forgiving. These hydrangeas bloom on the current year’s growth, so you don’t have to worry about removing next year’s flower buds.
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Identify the Spent Flower Head: Look for faded, brown, or dried-out flower heads.
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Cut Back Further: Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut the stem back to a pair of healthy buds or leaves. You can be more aggressive with your cuts than with old wood bloomers.
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Shaping: Deadheading provides an opportunity to shape the plant. Cut back stems to maintain a desired form and encourage bushier growth.
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Encourage Larger Blooms: For Panicle hydrangeas, some gardeners prefer to cut back the stems quite hard in late winter or early spring, leaving only a few buds on each stem. This encourages the plant to produce fewer, but larger, flower heads.
Deadheading new wood bloomers offers the chance to encourage bushier growth and larger blooms.
Timing is Everything: When to Deadhead Your Hydrangeas
The timing of deadheading is crucial for maximizing its benefits.
Timing for Old Wood Bloomers
For old wood bloomers, deadhead immediately after the flowers have faded, typically in late summer. This allows the plant ample time to set buds for the following year. Avoid deadheading after late summer, as you risk removing the developing buds. If you must prune, do so immediately after flowering has finished.
Timing for New Wood Bloomers
New wood bloomers can be deadheaded throughout the growing season, from mid-summer to fall. You can deadhead as soon as the flowers start to fade. Deadheading later in the season is acceptable, as it won’t affect the following year’s bloom. For shaping and pruning, you can cut the plants back harder in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Tools of the Trade: Essential Equipment for Deadheading
Having the right tools makes deadheading easier and more efficient.
Pruning Shears
Invest in a pair of high-quality pruning shears with sharp, clean blades. Bypass pruners are generally preferred as they make clean cuts without crushing the stems.
Gloves
Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands from thorns and potential irritants.
Cleaning Supplies
Keep a solution of rubbing alcohol or bleach handy to disinfect your pruning shears between cuts, especially if you’re working with diseased plants. This prevents the spread of diseases.
Troubleshooting Common Deadheading Mistakes
Even with careful attention, mistakes can happen. Here’s how to avoid common deadheading pitfalls.
Cutting Too Far Down on Old Wood Bloomers
As mentioned earlier, this is the most common mistake. Always err on the side of caution and avoid cutting too far down the stem.
Using Dull Pruning Shears
Dull blades can crush stems and create jagged cuts, making the plant more susceptible to disease. Sharpen your pruning shears regularly.
Ignoring Dead or Diseased Stems
While deadheading, take the opportunity to remove any dead or diseased stems. This improves the plant’s overall health and appearance.
Beyond Deadheading: Essential Hydrangea Care Tips
Deadheading is just one aspect of hydrangea care. To ensure healthy growth and abundant flowering, consider these additional tips.
Watering
Hydrangeas need consistent moisture, especially during hot, dry weather. Water deeply and regularly, especially newly planted hydrangeas.
Fertilizing
Fertilize hydrangeas in the spring with a balanced fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Soil pH
The soil pH affects the color of Bigleaf hydrangeas. Acidic soil (pH below 7) promotes blue flowers, while alkaline soil (pH above 7) promotes pink flowers. You can adjust the soil pH by adding amendments like sulfur (to lower pH) or lime (to raise pH).
Sunlight
Most hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid planting them in full sun, as this can scorch the leaves.
Mulching
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
By following these tips and mastering the art of deadheading, you can enjoy a spectacular display of hydrangea blooms year after year. Remember to identify your hydrangea type, use the appropriate technique, and time your deadheading correctly. With a little care and attention, your hydrangeas will reward you with a breathtaking show of color and beauty.
Why should I deadhead my hydrangeas?
Deadheading hydrangeas serves two primary purposes: it encourages the plant to focus its energy on producing new blooms rather than seed production, and it improves the overall aesthetic appearance of the plant. By removing spent flowers, you’re signaling to the plant that it should redirect its resources towards developing new flower buds, leading to a bushier and more floriferous display later in the season or the following year, depending on the hydrangea variety.
Beyond promoting future blooms, deadheading also prevents the spent flower heads from becoming unsightly brown clumps on your plant. These dead blooms can detract from the beauty of the healthy foliage and developing flowers. Regular deadheading keeps the plant looking tidy and well-maintained, showcasing its vibrant colors and healthy growth.
When is the best time to deadhead different types of hydrangeas?
The timing of deadheading depends largely on the type of hydrangea you have. For reblooming hydrangeas like Endless Summer (Hydrangea macrophylla), you can deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season as soon as they begin to fade. This encourages further flowering throughout the summer and into the fall. For non-reblooming macrophylla varieties, deadheading should be limited to removing only the flower head after the bloom has faded.
For other hydrangea types, such as panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), you can deadhead after the blooms fade in the late fall or early spring. Leaving the dried flower heads on over the winter can provide visual interest in the garden and can also offer some protection to the developing buds. However, if you prefer a cleaner look, early spring is perfectly acceptable.
How do I properly deadhead a hydrangea?
The proper method for deadheading hydrangeas involves using clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to make the cut. Locate the first set of healthy leaves below the spent flower head. Make the cut just above these leaves, angling the cut slightly downwards and away from the plant’s main stem. This encourages the plant to direct its growth outwards.
It’s crucial to avoid cutting too far down the stem, especially on non-reblooming hydrangeas, as this could remove potential flower buds for the following year. On reblooming hydrangeas, you can be a bit more liberal with your cuts, but still aim to make them just above a set of healthy leaves to promote new growth from that point.
What happens if I don’t deadhead my hydrangeas?
If you don’t deadhead your hydrangeas, the primary consequence is that the plant will expend energy on producing seeds rather than on developing new blooms. This can lead to fewer flowers in the subsequent blooming season, especially for varieties that are not known for reblooming. The plant’s overall vigor may also be slightly reduced as it diverts resources to seed production.
Additionally, leaving the spent flower heads on the plant can create a less attractive appearance. The dead blooms will eventually turn brown and become somewhat unsightly. While some gardeners find beauty in the dried flower heads, others prefer the cleaner, more vibrant look that regular deadheading provides. The decision to deadhead or not ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired aesthetic of your garden.
Can deadheading affect the color of my hydrangea blooms?
Deadheading itself does not directly affect the color of hydrangea blooms. Hydrangea flower color is primarily determined by the soil pH and the availability of aluminum in the soil. Acidic soils (lower pH) tend to produce blue flowers, while alkaline soils (higher pH) result in pink or red flowers. White hydrangeas are generally unaffected by soil pH.
While deadheading won’t change the color, ensuring the plant is healthy and thriving through proper care, including deadheading, will contribute to more vibrant and abundant blooms, which indirectly enhances the overall color display. Healthy plants are better able to absorb nutrients and respond to soil conditions, leading to more vivid flower colors.
Are there any hydrangeas that should not be deadheaded?
While deadheading is generally beneficial for most hydrangeas, it’s not always necessary or recommended for all varieties. Some gardeners prefer the look of the dried flower heads, especially on panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) like ‘Limelight’ or ‘Pinky Winky,’ as they can provide winter interest. Also, certain older varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla bloom only on old wood, so excessive deadheading can remove the flowering buds for the next season.
When in doubt, it’s best to research the specific variety of hydrangea you have to determine its blooming habits and recommended pruning practices. A light deadheading, removing only the spent flower head without cutting back into the stem, is generally safe for most hydrangeas. Observe your plant’s growth patterns and adjust your deadheading practices accordingly.
What tools do I need to deadhead hydrangeas?
The essential tool for deadheading hydrangeas is a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors. Sharp tools are crucial for making clean cuts, which help prevent disease and promote faster healing. Dull tools can crush or tear the stems, making the plant more susceptible to infections.
While not strictly necessary, wearing gardening gloves is also recommended to protect your hands from thorns and potential irritants. A small bucket or bag to collect the spent flower heads will also keep your garden tidy and prevent the spread of any potential diseases.