When you cut hydrangeas all the way down to the ground, it can have a significant impact on the plant’s growth and bloom production. This practice is typically done in late winter or early spring when the shrubs are dormant.
By cutting hydrangeas back hard, you are essentially rejuvenating the plant and stimulating new growth. This can result in larger blooms, as the plant puts more energy into producing flowers rather than maintaining old, woody stems. Smooth hydrangeas, in particular, are known to produce much larger blooms if pruned hard each year.
However, it’s important to note that many gardeners choose to prune hydrangeas less drastically in order to achieve smaller blooms on sturdier stems. This can be especially beneficial in areas prone to heavy rains or strong winds, as shorter stems are less likely to flop over or break under the weight of the flowers.
It’s also worth mentioning that different hydrangea varieties may respond differently to hard pruning. Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) are known to tolerate and even benefit from severe pruning, while other varieties like mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) may not respond as well and may produce fewer blooms the following season.
In my personal experience, I have pruned smooth hydrangeas all the way down to the ground in early spring and witnessed the remarkable growth and abundant blooms that followed. The new shoots emerged vigorously, and the resulting flowers were much larger than in previous years.
To successfully prune hydrangeas down to the ground, it’s important to use sharp, clean pruning shears and make clean cuts just above a pair of healthy buds. This will encourage the plant to grow in a more compact and bushy manner.
Cutting hydrangeas all the way down to the ground can result in larger blooms, especially in the case of smooth hydrangeas. However, some gardeners prefer to prune less drastically to promote sturdier stems. It’s essential to consider the specific hydrangea variety and local growing conditions when deciding on the pruning approach.
