Do you cut back hydrangas in the fall,or never?Thanks ?

Question

I live in NJ and have pretty severe winters.

Answer 1

For mop heads its not necessary unless you want to tidy them up. They bloom on old wood so the timing is crucial. Mine finish around July 4th and I would never prune them past the first week in August. They are setting next years blooms very shortly after they get done blooming . If you prune them after that then you will lose next years show.

Late spring frosts that kill back the new growth is what you should be concerned with. The brown stalks during the winter are mother natures protection during this time. When they start greening out in late spring and you get a freeze - well that sucks !   Late freeze - Cover with an old trash can or sheet and place a gallon jug of hot water in with the plant.

Answer 2

It depends on what kind of hydrangea you have.  Mine is an Annabelle and you cut it back in the Fall once there is a freeze because the new growth starts from the ground.  Other varieties grow from the old wood, so you should not cut them back.

Answer 3

Leave the dead flower heads on through winter,to protect next year's buds.In the spring,cut back to the first pair of leaves on each strong stem.

Remove weak,straggly stems or any overcrowding the centre of the shrub.

Answer 4

find your type of hydrangea here....

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com

read up on it and find out when it's best to prune your type....

note the new mopheads that are like Endless Summer where they bloom on both old and new wood and pruning time isn't so important....  

Answer 5

I live in IL and I just let mine die.  Then, in the Spring I cut off all the dead stuff.  

Answer 6

You should never cut hydrangia back unless you just don't want it to get bigger and fuller. Leave the stalks and you'll get twice as many

blooms next year.