Hydrangea Care

Hydrangea macrophylla Big Leaf Hydrangea

Fall Hydrangea Care

The fall is a tricky season for Hydrangea care. Do you prune it all back or leave? Will that affect the blooms? The method for caring Hydrangeas in the autumn is knowing which one you have. There are 6 specific species of Hydrangeas and each one has their own maintenance needs.

Big Leaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla pic above)

Endless Summer, Nantucket Blue, Niko Blue; the endless summertime Cape Cod versions of this popular Hydrangea makes most gardeners think they can achieve that wild hedges here in the mountains of Northwestern Massachusetts. However the sudden frigid temperatures here oftentimes kills off the flower buds and are ugly looking in their dormant state. They are often cut back to the ground due to this and though flower buds do grow on new wood, it also grows on old wood and when cut back in the fall you cut back the flower buds. It is recommended to not cut back and do maintenance pruning in the spring by pruning down to viable buds that were not frost killed and removing dead wood.

Smooth Hydrangea (H. arborescens)

Smooth Hydrangeas tend to have names like ‘Annabelle’ or ‘Incrediball’ with large rounded mound of flowerets. The stems are wooded and flowers grow on new growth. Prune back a third of growth to keep it contained in the fall, winter, and early spring.

Smooth Hydrangea dormant state

Panicle Hydrangea (H. paniculata)

Panicle Hydrangeas are an amazing addition to the garden for long lasting autumn interest. These Hydrangeas cone shape florets change colors from an off white, light pink to a dusty rose once in dormancy. Flowers blooms both on old wood and new wood, with suckering new growth being a bright tan, orange color. In the fall, prune out the new wood to encourage mature growth on old wood and to ensure newer growth as well.

Panicle Hydrangeas

Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia)

Another great addition to the gardens for autumn color! Whereas the Panicle Hydrangeas flowers turn color, Oakleaf Hydrangeas leaves turn color. Oftentimes the leaves turn a dark maroon red giving a hint of purple. Great for long lasting interest as well. In the spring only cut back dead flowers.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Climbing Hydrangea (H. petolaris)

Do not prune in the fall or winter. Prune to keep growth down in the later spring where buds are visible and to remove dead branches.

Mountain Hydrangea (H. serrata)

Mountain Hydrangeas are not a common hydrangea we find here in Northwestern Massachusetts. It is very similar to Big Leaf Hydrangeas in care, leave up till spring and prune back dead canes and prune down to viable buds. Flower buds do get killed in the cold and it is recommended to fence and burlap this Hydrangea and Big Leaf Hydrangea to prevent bud kill.

Fertilizer

You can never go wrong with fertilizing your Hydrangeas on a seasonal basis. The labels on most Hydrangea fertilizers call for a quarterly program to ensure healthy growth. Healthy growth ensures a stronger shrub that withstand New England’s temperamental weather.