If You Grow Hydrangeas, October Is The Month To Put Down Your Pruners
The one pruning secret experts need you need to know
If you are tempted to clip back hydrangeas as part of your Autumn yard tidy up - stop now - and put away those pruners. While our natural instinct as gardeners is to clear away the summer's growth and create order, in preparation for the coming winter, clipping back hydrangeas definitely shouldn't be on your October to-do list.
As deciduous flowering shrubs these much-loved garden favorites have now finished blooming for the year, and are busy storing energy ready for spring regrowth. There is also the likely danger that a major prune now will directly impact next years flower production.
As experts advise, one of the most crucial rules of learning how to grow hydrangeas is identifying the type you are growing and knowing when to prune. We delve into why you should temporarily put down your pruners and the two sole reasons you should use a pair, such as these Felco F2 from Lowes, on hydrangeas in October.
Why Avoid Pruning Hydrangeas In October
October is a crucial point of the year for hydrangeas. While the flowers have faded and growth has slowed, they may look a little raggedy, but it's vital not to prune these flowering shrubs now.
Why? Well simply because you may, unwittingly, remove next years flower buds as well as that untidy branch or stem. While there are some exceptions, which we'll explore further on, October is generally accepted as a time to leave hydrangeas untouched.
Generally divided into those varieties that flower on old wood and those that bloom from new, it is all important to identify each plant you have before reaching for the pruners.
'Bigleaf hydrangeas, mountain hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and some other types commonly produce flowers on old wood. For example, ‘Nikko Blue’ Bigleaf Hydrangea and Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea bloom on old wood and should be pruned in late summer,' explains plant expert Kelly Funk. Find Nikko Blue Bigleaf Hydrangea at Perfect Plants and Gatsby Moon Oakleaf Hydrangea at Nature Hills.
Another reason to hold off pruning now is frost protection. Any cut stem will stimulate fresh new growth and this will prove too tender to survive a frost, leading to potential disease setting in and long term damage. If you are really worried about your hydrangea being exposed to severe frost, wrap the plant with horticultural fleece such as this from Lowe's.
What About Hydrangeas That Bloom On New Wood
If you are charmed by the generous pom-pom like blooms of hydrangea 'Annabelle' and 'Incrediball', or the curious floral cones of Hydrangea paniculata, then your plants will bloom on 'new wood'; that is stems that have grown that season. While these hydrangea varieties require a different pruning regime to 'old wood' hydrangeas, October is still not the correct time for this task.
'Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on new wood, so pruning does not remove the following year’s flower buds in the same way,' says Kelly. 'However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should be pruned in October.
Leaving stems intact through fall allows the plant to continue storing energy and preparing its root system for winter, which can be especially important in colder climates or when plants are already stressed.' Discover how to grow smooth hydrangeas here.
The same no prune in October rule goes for modern bigleaf hybrids too. 'Reblooming bigleaf hydrangeas like Endless Summer or Penny Mac are the exception because they bloom on both new and old wood,' explains Nikki Bruner. Find these hydrangeas and other varieties at Perfect Plants.
Leave Hydrangeas Unpruned For Wildlife
Leaving faded hydrangea flowerheads intact provides more than just visual interest in fall and winter gardens. Providing food and shelter for birds, small mammals and pollinators, these plant qualities are often overlooked and undervalued.
'There can also be wildlife benefits, although these depend on the cultivar,' explains Kelly. 'The flowers of Tuff Stuff TopFun™ mountain hydrangea attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects during summer, while its seeds attract songbirds in late fall. Tiny Quick Fire® also has hollow stems that can provide nesting habitat for bees, another reason not to automatically clear every stem from the garden.'
Adding a layer of mulch, such as Hyponex Wood Chips from Walmart, around the base of each hydrangea will not only supress weeds and retain moisture, but increase overwintering options for hibernating insects too.
The Only Reason To Use Pruners This Month
The only reasons to wield your pruners near a hydrangea in October is when deadheading or cutting out dead and diseased growth.
'If gardeners simply dislike the appearance of old flowers, deadheading is different from pruning,' explains Kelly. 'A spent hydrangea flower can be removed as long as you take only the flowerhead.'
If you do decide to remove the faded blooms, display them in this Rose Tinted Glass Vase from Crate & Barrel. for a enchanting seasonal arrangement.
What To Shop
If you are concerned about damaging or accidently removing hydrangea flower buds seek reassurance by looking closely at your plant. 'You can actually see and notice the flower buds forming which is one of the only ways to recognize the difference and save your spring flowers from their pruning demise,' explains Nikki Bruner.
'The ends of the stems will look swollen and like a bud is forming, they should be visible in October.' Discover how winterizing hydrangeas can preserve your plants for future years.
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Meet The Experts
Kelly is the president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins, a renowned online nursery with roots dating back to 1872 and a storied reputation for cultivating exceptional roses. A passionate gardener herself, Kelly brings hands-on knowledge and a deep appreciation for plants to her leadership. Under her guidance, Jackson & Perkins continues to thrive as a trusted name for gardeners who value beauty, quality, and the joy of growing.
Nikki is a Marketing & Horticulture Specialist at Perfect Plants Nursery, a family-owned online nursery with roots dating back to 1980. She combines horticultural knowledge with practical gardening advice to help home gardeners successfully grow and maintain their landscapes.
