Garden Q&A: Is it too late to prune my hydrangeas in April?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Always use clean, sharp secateurs on hydrangea and aim to prune on a dry day. And remember, even if you make a mistake, hydrangeas are forgiving plants. File picture

Question

Is it too late to prune my hydrangeas?

Answer

It’s a question I’m often asked at this time of year, and as with many gardening questions, the answer depends on the type of hydrangea you have.

If you’re growing Hydrangea macrophylla, the big-leaved mophead or lacecap varieties, then tread carefully. These flower on old wood, and they set their flower buds around now during mid-late spring. 

If you cut back too hard in April, you risk losing this year’s flowers. At this stage, it’s best to simply remove any dead flower heads and tidy the plant by snipping out damaged or crossing stems. Leave the rest alone and let it bloom.

But, if you have Hydrangea paniculata or Hydrangea arborescens varieties such as the well-known Annabelle,  you’re still just about in time. These varieties flower on new wood, so you can prune them back hard now to encourage strong, upright growth and larger flower heads in summer.

Always use clean, sharp secateurs and aim to prune on a dry day. And remember, even if you make a mistake, hydrangeas are forgiving plants. With a bit of time and care, they’ll bounce back stronger next season. That’s the joy of gardening.

• Got a gardening question for Peter Dowdall? Email [e-mail]