Deadheading hydrangeas is an essential gardening practice that not only tidies up your plants but also encourages healthier growth and blooming.
To start, use clean, sharp pruning shears to make precise cuts. The best time to deadhead is when the blooms begin to fade and turn brown, typically throughout the summer.
Locate the spent flower head and trace the stem down to the first set of large leaves. Make your cut just above these leaves to avoid damaging any new growth or flower buds.
While deadheading helps redirect the plant's energy from seed production to root and leaf development, it’s important to know that it won’t induce a second bloom for most hydrangeas.
For reblooming varieties, you can deadhead again when the second set of flowers begins to fade, but be cautious not to cut too late in the season, as this can affect next year’s blooms
Leaving some dried flowers on the plant during winter can provide visual interest and protect new buds from frost.
Regular deadheading will keep your hydrangeas looking fresh and vibrant throughout the growing season.