Garden Tip 54:

HYDRANGEA FLOWERS THIS SEASON ARE SPECTACULAR!

Lacking the extreme cold snaps in February and March the mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla ) are putting on their best display in years.

Maintenance pruning of mophead hydrangeas is done in the spring after spring growth has emerged, removing dead stems and old stems from the interior of the plant. Hoping not to confuse the pruning issue there is an early July pruning for mophead hydrangeas as well. Non flowering stems tend to grow taller than those in flower and these stems can be cut back to just below the flower level. This is July tip cutting and helps to shape the plant and expose those beautiful flowers.

Mophead hydrangeas are very sensitive to dry conditions. Keep an eye on the weather and give them a deep soaking in hot dry weather to help extend the life of the flower .