Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as Hydrangea macrophylla, are a popular choice for gardeners due to their stunning blooms. These hydrangeas indeed grow on old wood, which means that they produce flower buds on the previous year’s growth. This characteristic is important to consider when it comes to pruning these plants.
In my personal experience, I have found that bigleaf hydrangeas can be quite sensitive to pruning at the wrong time. If you trim them too late in the season, you risk removing the buds that will develop into next year’s flowers. Therefore, it is crucial to prune bigleaf hydrangeas immediately after they finish blooming, typically in late summer or early fall. By pruning at this time, you allow the plant to have ample time to develop new buds for the following year.
When pruning bigleaf hydrangeas, it is essential to focus on removing dead or diseased wood, as well as any crossed or rubbing branches. This will help improve the overall health and appearance of the plant. Avoid cutting back more than one-third of the plant’s total growth, as this can stress the hydrangea and reduce its ability to produce flowers.
I remember one particular instance where I mistakenly pruned my bigleaf hydrangea too late in the season. The following year, the plant did not produce as many blooms as usual, and the flowers were smaller in size. This experience taught me the importance of timing when it comes to pruning these hydrangeas.
It’s worth noting that there are different types of hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as oakleaf, climbing, and mountain hydrangeas. These varieties also require pruning immediately after flowering to ensure optimal bud development for the next season.
To summarize, bigleaf hydrangeas, along with oakleaf, climbing, and mountain hydrangeas, grow on old wood. Pruning should be done immediately after they finish blooming, typically in late summer or early fall. By following this timing and focusing on removing dead or diseased wood, you can help promote healthy growth and abundant blooms for the next year.
