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Was I supposed to prune this plant before this year's new growth?

Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
in Plants
I can't remember the name of this plant. I think someone told me what it's called previously on this forum.



As stated in the subject line, should I have already cut the old flowerheads off before the new shoots?

As you can probably tell, I don't know much about plants and I don't know how this works but I'm trying to look after them!

Thanks very much.
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Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    It is a Hydrangea and probably, yes.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Yes, you should have cut off the old flower heads before the new buds start to open but not till mid March or so as the old heads give some frost protection.

    More importantly, I think, you need to pot that on into a bigger pot or, better still, get it planted in the ground.  They like a good root run to make sure they get all the nutrients and water they need.   They can be prunded regularlyto keep them to size if that's a worry.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Sorry, was a bit rushed before. You will find now that the old flower heads will snap off, just about the new growth. Now is as good a time as any. If you cannot  plant the shrub out then it will need lots of water and food over the season.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I haven’t taken mine off and won’t do it until next week anyway.  If there’s a frost it can blacken the top leaf buds. 
    Just take off the old flowers and the next green bud down. 
    If there are no leaf buds, take the flower stalk right down,   If it’s only got one leaf bud, as in the bottom left,  I’d take that one right down to base. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    Thanks very much for all your help. That answers my question.....although you've given me two more questions please!

    Firstly, as Lyn suggested, I cut the stalks down to the base if there's only one bud: what is the science behind that? Does it actually increase growth?
    Secondly, as Obelixx suggested, I plant it in the ground because of its size in relation to the pot. I understand the reasoning behind that but can I keep it in this pot because I want to put it at the front of house where there's just driveway paving or will it eventually die? I know I'll have to make sure it gets plenty of water compared to being in the ground.

    Thanks again.
  • gjautosgjautos Posts: 429
    I agree with @Lyn, I don't snip the heads off until after the last frost as they offer protection 
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Sorry, but to me cutting back as far as is suggested runs the risk of removing flowers. As I said the old stems usually snap at the correct place leaving this times flower buds intact.
    Eventaully, when the bush gets older and bigger then you may need to thin out some of the older stems right back to the base.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Gn0me said:
    Thanks very much for all your help. That answers my question.....although you've given me two more questions please!

    Firstly, as Lyn suggested, I cut the stalks down to the base if there's only one bud: what is the science behind that? Does it actually increase growth?

    Thanks again.
    The reason I said that is because with only one set of leaves on a stalk, I think looks a bit weak.  You can leave it if you want,  but it’s a bit feeble and it probably won’t have the strength to hold up a flower head.  It will shoot out from the base. 

    Seems @Palustris doesn’t mind that look,  there again it’s up to you.

    As I said before,    I’d rather take a whole plant down to the ground and forego flowers for one year that have a weak one. 
    There again,  a matter of choice,  whatever you choose, you won’t hurt the plant. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hydrangea macrophylla, like the one you have, flower on old wood, ie on last year’s stems.  If you want flowers this year, just cut off last year’s flowers at the base of the flower stalk, leaving the rest of the stem intact. New buds may already be visible just below each flower or will shortly appear.  Hydrangeas don’t have tap roots and are shallow rooted, creating a rootball of about six inches in depth.  If your plant hasn’t been in that pot for more than about two years and isn’t pot bound (the roots will be visible at the base coming through the drainage hole if it is) your plant may be OK in that sized pot for another year.  Try to remove the top couple of inches of compost and replace it with fresh compost and keep your plant in the shade, moist but not waterlogged. If you remove any stems right back to the base of the plant they will bud and regrow but won’t flower this year.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If you can't get it in the ground, give it a much bigger pot, filling the extra space with good, loam-based, John Innes no 3 type compost.   You'll need to feed it as such composts only have nutrients for 80 to 90 days which means it will run out when your hydrangea is in full flower and wanting energy.

    Keep it well watered as they don't like dry roots.  Remember to feed it generously every spring and give top ups with liquid feed every year.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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