Hydrangeas, renowned for their winter hardiness, can be encouraged to produce an abundant bloom come spring with some strategic care at this time of year.
As the chill sets in and spring seems a mere speck on the horizon, green-fingered aficionados are being urged to make use of this cooler period to lay the groundwork for a spectacular hydrangea display next year.
The garden gurus over at Blooming Backyard have divulged three “essential” autumnal tips guaranteed to result in “stunning flower heads” when the warmer months roll around, the Express reports.
Their advice: “Hydrangeas, a traditional garden staple, are back in fashion in a big way. The stunning flower heads in a range of colours and shapes grace our gardens in summer and into autumn, depending on the variety.
“Unfortunately, their beauty doesn’t last all year. Once the flowers and foliage die back in autumn, you’ll need to head out into the garden for your annual hydrangea maintenance session. These tasks are vital to keeping your plants looking great and ensuring they come back even bigger and stronger the following year.”
The experts’ three essential tasks are listed below:
1. Prune
When allowing them to grow unchecked, hydrangeas can swiftly sprawl into wilder territory. Keen gardeners seeking orderly aesthetics will find pruning indispensable.
Nevertheless, pruning is not as simple as haphazardly snipping stems. Botch the job by pruning incorrectly or at an inappropriate time, and you could scupper your plants chances of flowering when the next season arrives.
Only autumn-blooming hydrangeas should be pruned during this season. This includes varieties that bloom on new wood, such as Hydrangea paniculata or Hydrangea arborescens, also known as peegee hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas respectively.
Other essential pruning steps, like removing faded flowers and dying branches, can be done at any time of the year. Always use a sharp pair of pruning shears to avoid damaging the branches and jeopardising new growth.
2. Tidy
Once your hydrangea is pruned and looking its best, it’s time to tackle the task that most gardeners dread – tidying up.
The process of cleaning up around the base of the plants can be a bit of a chore and requires some elbow grease, but it’s crucial for keeping your plants in good health.
Any debris left around the plants, particularly during autumn, can provide a perfect hiding place for harmful pests and diseases that will seize the opportunity to attack when the plant starts to grow again in spring.
Ensure to clear away any fallen leaves and flowers from around the base of your plant. Maintain this cleanliness throughout the season as more parts of the plant drop due to the chillier temperatures.
As long as the plant is disease-free, you can toss all this waste onto your compost pile. At the same time, remove any branches lying on the ground.
This action will elevate the plant, enhance airflow at the base, and prevent diseases from taking root on decaying or rotting branches in contact with the soil.
3. Mulch
For those living in colder areas with plenty of frost or harsh winters, it’s essential to mulch as the cold weather sets in. This method insulates the soil and protects the roots from potential damage.
Mulching also aids in moisture retention and hinders weed growth, which is especially important when temperatures begin to climb again in early spring.
An organic layer of mulch, such as bark chips or straw, is ideal as they slowly break down into the soil over time. Around two inches should suffice for most climates, but in particularly cold regions, this layer can be made a bit thicker.
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