Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowers to plant in gardens and fill vases in homes with.
They are adored for their big and bold clusters of flowers in a wide range of colours – from white to sweet pink to electric blue.
What’s more, they can even change their hue as they mature in late summer.
However, to keep them flowering with full and bouncy blooms, caring for them and meeting their needs is essential.
Unsure of when to prune their hydrangea, one gardener took to the Hydrangeas in the UK Facebook group for advice.
Mike Stevens asked: “When is the best time to prune hydrangeas [in the] UK?” Mike was met with numerous suggestions – all saying the same thing.
Group members urged Mike to wait until the frost has passed and temperatures start to warm up a little.
Sharon Moulton said: “Not yet. Wait til frost is over those deadheads are protecting your plant.”
Joyce Jolly wrote: “Not yet, wait till frost is over then cut off the old flower heads. You will see this year’s new leaves just below.”
Carl Bavin recommended: “Around mid-April/early May when any fear of frost has passed.”
Claire Foster said: “Mid-March is the best time to do it. I had an insane amount of flowers on all my hydrangeas last year.
“But the year before I trimmed too soon in mild weather then we got very icy weather and two bushes didn’t flower at all.”
Brian Hearn replied: “Prune after the frosts have passed. Cut down to just above a double bud if you can and it will give you more flowers.”
The experts at Palmers Garden Centre agree that hydrangeas should be pruned in early spring. They said: “Early spring is often an ideal time for pruning.
“Late frosts tend to damage any new buds that come through after pruning.
“If you prune hydrangeas too early you may promote new growth so holding off a bit is the best thing to do.”
