Gardeners must prune hydrangeas at 'correct time' to promote flower growth

Hydrangeas come in two main types - mophead and lacecap - and they should never be pruned in autumn, according to a gardening expert

Hydrangeas, with their diverse range of varieties, are a favourite among gardeners.

The popular mopheads are particularly popular with their full, round heads packed with large petals, as well as lacecaps with their delicate flowers encircled by a halo of larger petals.

Gardening expert Jessica Walliser, an award-winning horticulturist and author of seven gardening books, has advised on her garden blog Savvy Gardening that these hydrangea varieties should "never" be pruned in autumn.

She warned: "Whether you are growing gorgeous panicle hydrangeas like these or classic mophead hydrangeas, pruning should never be done in autumn."

Jessica highlighted the risk of losing next year's blooms if pruning is done at the wrong time, stating that autumn pruning could lead to "no blooms next year".

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggests that while it's okay to trim off mophead hydrangeas' spent blooms after flowering in milder climates, it's generally better to leave them over winter, reports the Express.

According to RHS experts, the "correct time" for most hydrangea pruning is late winter or early spring, except for climbing hydrangeas which are pruned post-summer flowering.

This method provides frost protection for the "tender growth" buds located underneath.

They advise: "Remove the dead flower heads in early spring, cutting back the stem to the first strong, healthy pair of buds down from the faded bloom."

RHS experts have shared their top tips for keeping lacecap hydrangeas in tip-top shape, advising gardeners to trim old flower heads back to the second pair of leaves below the head immediately after blooming. This prevents seed formation which can sap the plant's energy.

For those with established hydrangeas, it's recommended to cut off a few of the oldest stems at the base to encourage the growth of new ones, a technique that's said to "boost flower productivity".

If your hydrangea has grown a bit too wild, fear not, as you can give it a complete refresh by cutting all its stems down to the base.

However, the experts caution: "This will remove all the flowers for that summer. The stems won't bloom until the following year."

Should any frost damage occur in spring, the advice is to prune the affected shoots just above the first pair of healthy buds on strong wood.

It's also crucial to weed out weak, spindly stems to keep your hydrangea hearty, they stress.

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