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Straggly hydrangeas

Lizzie 2Lizzie 2 Posts: 9
in Problem solving

I have inherited 6 large hydrangea bushes in my new garden. They are over a metre tall and look as if all the cutting back has been dead heading.  Lots of stalk and not many leaves.

Any advice on how to set about pruning them. I am tempted to cut them back to about 12 inches above the ground in the autumn. Is this too severe. Do I risk killing them, they look healthy?  Should their pruning be more gradual.

Would appreciate some help here.

Posts

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    Mine was a fright last year so I cut it down to about 4 inches. It's in a pot and growing back beautifully. image

  • mushermusher Posts: 389

    You normally cut them back when the threat of frosts has gone. If the canes show no signs of leaf bud, cut them right back Depending on how tall you want them to grow. Cut those canes juzt above the appropriate

  • mushermusher Posts: 389

    leaf buds. All so dead head  the flowers after the threat of frosts has gone

  • Lizzie 2Lizzie 2 Posts: 9

    Thanks for this advice. I will leave it till the spring to cut them back.

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