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3yr old hydrangea looking leggy - any tips?

Neil81BNeil81B Posts: 34
in Problem solving
I planted my hydrangea about 3yrs ago, and although nice and bushy to start its now looking increasingly leggy. Its planted on the a south facing side of the garden (garden is east facing). I'm thinking I'm not pruning it correctly, and I know there are different types but struggling to identify which this is and how I should be pruning. So, any tips much appreciated. Picture attached. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The aspect isn't ideal at all, and it's probably struggled to get enough moisture in the site too - grass is competition for moisture. Being close to the fence is also drier.  It doesn't have a lot of room there to get to a good size.  :)
    Pruning is largely done in spring, and they mainly only need old flowerheads removed, but it's also wise to remove dead or crossing/rubbing branches. On a young shrub, there's not likely to be much of that, so you would only be taking the old heads off, and maybe back to a good leaf joint. 
    The paniculatas get cut back hard, but it doesn't do any harm if they aren't, it just makes them floppier as they flower on new growth, and that can lead to them being top heavy. 
    Do you feed it?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Neil81BNeil81B Posts: 34
    OK, so no more than a general pruning in Spring - removing the flowerheads. I'll have a look at moving it somewhere else if this doesn't revive if significantly. Otherside of the garden is north-facing so will this be mostly shade throughout the day. Do they cope with full shade, or prefer some sun? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Shadier is always better. They can take some sun if the soil is fine, and their feet are happy - ie they don't get dried out, and have decent drainage. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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