Pruning hydrangeas in paniculate fall.

In principle, hydrangea is an exotic shrub, but unlike many of its other counterparts, it is not whimsical at all. The fact that hydrangea can adapt to almost any climate and with proper insulation can withstand almost any, even the most severe winter, is a very big plus of this shrub, which has recently become very fond of gardeners. A long and beautiful flowering simply wins hearts.

Briefly about hydrangea

The Hortense family came to us from Asia. Initially, this shrub appeared in the gardens of only very noble and wealthy people, but over time, the shrub spread and fell in love almost everywhere. Now it is found in many gardens, and every year more and more sophisticated varieties appear. Mostly hydrangea bushes are perennials. But as it turns out, this plant has not only bushes, but even trees, and it is worth noting that this species even has rather long vines. This plant generally has a rather long flowering period. If the climate suits her, then this period stretches even up to six months. Small hydrangea flowers grow in huge inflorescences, which can be completely different colors.

Types of hydrangea

Thanks to breeders, now all varieties of hydrangeas are simply impossible to count, although there are several types of hydrangeas themselves:

Treelike - these are hydrangea bushes that can grow up to a maximum of three meters in height. The varieties of this species are quite frost-resistant, their inflorescences easily grow up to 20 cm in diameter, they bloom for a very long time, and their colors are mainly white and cream.

Petiolate - or as it is also called curly hydrangea, which is well suited for vertical decoration of your site. Most of the flowers of this species are creamy in color.

Large-leaved - a shrub of this species can be called quite compact, because it grows in height only up to two meters. All of its inflorescences are spherical and can grow up to 30 cm, this species also has compact indoor varieties, which are very often grown on windowsills.

Paniculata - the bushes of this species are also quite compact, growing up to a height of only two meters. The inflorescences of this species grow up to 15 cm in diameter, but some specimens can grow up to 30, but this already depends on the variety you choose.

In its natural environment, the hydrangea itself can grow to a height of about 10 meters, and some vines can be up to 30 meters long.

If we talk specifically about the hydrangea that grows in our garden, then it grows quite small, but above three meters. Most often these are shrubs, but sometimes there are trees. In principle, due to their height, they are quite easy to care for, and their varieties are generally quite frost-resistant. All varieties of hydrangea, during preparation for winter, throw off all the foliage. But very often there are very thermophilic varieties among hydrangeas, they can stand fluffy and green, but this is only in conditions of year-round heat.

Why does she need pruning

Absolutely any type of hydrangea simply needs pruning, otherwise instead of a beautiful and lush, long-blooming bush, you will not get what. If the pruning is not enough, or it will not be at all, then you will definitely not get a decorative beautiful bush.

Indeed, thanks to pruning, you will achieve: the shape of the bush you need, you will get rid of diseased, old or just extra shoots, you will be able to make your bush younger, you will be able to get more beautiful and lush flowers.

Very often, gardeners only carry out spring pruning, but in the fall they prefer not to touch the plants. And the other half of the gardeners, on the contrary, without touching the plant in the spring, carry out only autumn pruning. In principle, one can agree with those and those gardeners. But everything needs to be done in due time. If pruning is carried out in the spring a little later than the due date, this is clearly harmful, because if the sap flow has begun, then the plant will simply expire with it. This can lead not only to the general weakness of the bush, but even to its death.

With autumn pruning, it is already clearly visible which branches need to be cut, because they will already be stretched out at this time, and violate the overall shape of the bush. If they are not cut off in time, then during the winter they can simply break, and only spring pruning will help to correct this situation, which will need to be done before the first buds appear. As for the autumn pruning, then it should be carried out after the hydrangea has completely faded.

As for those gardeners who do not have experience, they often simply do not know that any type of hydrangea is divided into two types: those that form inflorescences on the shoots of the last year.

And those that are capable of blooming on young shoots.

You can start pruning by looking at these factors.

About panicle hydrangea

With regards to the small hydrangea, initially it grew only in Japan and China, as for Russia, it began to grow only on Sakhalin. Basically, this type of hydrangea grows only where there is enough space for this. It has a rather strong and sweet aroma, which is why bees love it very much. It is this type of hydrangea that begins to bloom in the year of planting, although it begins to bloom for a considerable time later than other species. But it also blooms much longer.

All inflorescences related to this species are very fluffy, and have very delicate, beautiful colors and shades that can easily change their appearance during flowering. Very often it also depends on the selected variety.

Of course, hydrangeas are very fond of sunlight, but not direct rays, but scattered ones. But even in partial shade, this shrub grows just as well. In principle, it is in the half shade that the flowers of the plant will be even larger than in the sun.

In the wild, this type of hydrangea, just like at home, looks like a spreading bush or a small tree. But unlike in the wild, a houseplant simply needs pruning. After all, otherwise the bush will grow at random, and the flowers will be much smaller than the prescribed size. In principle, the pruning of the bush is carried out not so that the bush becomes smaller, but in order to give it the correct shape and get as many flowers on it as possible. And no one has yet canceled preventive and rejuvenating pruning.

In general, it is the type of small hydrangea that can be grown in your garden not only in the form of a shrub, as gardeners are generally used to it, but even in the form of a small tree. In order for your plant to grow in the shape that you need, you need to cut it just above the third bud. It is necessary to count this only by those that look outward. And in Russia, such pruning should be done in the fall, but this only applies to not very cold regions. If it is very cold in your area, then you should only cut the hydrangea in the spring.

Hydrangea varieties

Basically among gardeners, the most popular are such varieties how:

Vinilla Fries - such a bush grows to a height of only two meters, and its flowers are very large.

Daimon Rouge - this variety has a very compact shape, but its inflorescences, on the contrary, are very large, they can grow up to 40 cm in diameter. The flowers are initially white, but over time they turn red. As for the leaves, they are green throughout the season, and in the fall with the onset of cold weather they turn bright orange.

Phantom - This variety has a very powerful, sprawling bush with large, fluffy white inflorescences.

Bobo - This variety is best grown at home, as it is dwarf. But it blooms for a long time, with a lot of beautiful flowers.

If you want to grow your hydrangea in the form of a tree, then you need to cut absolutely all the shoots and leave only one. And also this escape must be tied to any support. All growing branches that appear in the spring will need to be pinched. Moreover, this must be done throughout the entire time until the plant grows to 1.5 meters. It is from the mark of this growth that the plant will begin to grow a crown, clearly develop the trunk and correct lateral processes and branches. Depending on the variety, the tree will grow straight or willow. Regular pruning to shape is necessary during the first five years of life. After this period, it is necessary to carry out only preventive pruning, removing weak or diseased branches, as well as excess shoots and processes.

In order to grow a hydrangea in the shape of a tree, the following varieties are best suited:

Kyushu - This hydrangea variety has large, white inflorescences.

Tardiva - this variety looks original due to the fact that initially the inflorescences have a delicate creamy color, which gradually turns pink over time.

But in order to give your plant the shape of a "Weeping Willow", the most suitable varieties are: limelight - This is an unusual variety of hydrangea that has a green tint.

Grandiflora - the flowers of this variety have a delicate white-cream color, and its branches hang down beautifully.

Pruning rules

Initially, in the first year of life, pruning is carried out in order to thin out the plant and remove diseased or broken branches. And with age, pruning is carried out in order to rejuvenate the plant. In case of rejuvenation, the branches need to be cut almost completely. Only a small part is left of them, no more than 10 cm.If for some reason you have not pruned for a long time, and the plant is heavily overgrown, then in no case should you cut everything at once. This should be done gradually, stretching over several years. After all, any pruning is a big stress for the plant, therefore, after carrying out even a small pruning, the plant should rest and fully gain strength, this year it will definitely not bloom, flowering will occur only next year.

Panicle hydrangea tolerates winter frosts well, so you don't even need to cover it. But it is necessary to carry out pruning of this type correctly. This should be done in autumn in stages: firstly, you need to remove absolutely all the inflorescences, because dryness will not add beauty to your plant, and you risk that in winter, under the weight of snow, they will simply break down and shoots, especially young ones, may suffer from this.

Secondly, it is imperative to cut off all broken, diseased and dried branches. This preventive pruning should be carried out for absolutely all plants from the first year of life. So you can give it not only the shape you want, but also make your plant healthier.

Thirdly, before winter, you need to prune in order to rejuvenate the plant. all old shoots and branches must be removed during this period.

Fourth, the main shoots of the plant must be shortened a little. This is done already in the second year of life, but keep in mind that the type of panicle hydrangea cannot be cut very low.

And finally, fifthly, you need to cut off all excess shoots in order to get the desired shape and your plant looks beautiful.

As for beginners who have just begun to grow hydrangea on their site, it is worth recalling that pruning can be carried out not only in the fall, but also in the spring. But each trimming point must be approached competently.

Pruning hydrangeas must be done with a sharp tool.Although the branches of the plant are not very thick, sometimes they can be woody, in which case it is best to use a garden saw. You need to cut the branches so that about five buds remain on each shoot, and the distance from the last bud to the cut should be at least 1 cm.After you have pruned, the plant can be fed by first loosening the ground around it. If you want to use organic fertilizers, then you need to pour them under each bush with a layer of at least five cm.It is the type of panicle hydrangea that does not require additional insulation for the winter, but for everyone else it is necessary, since they do not differ in strong frost resistance. But as for experienced gardeners, they are afraid that the plant may not survive the winter, and if it does not die, then just suffer anyway, just in case, they insulate their plant, regardless of its type. You can cover it with cellophane film, after making a frame. Cover with dry leaves, sawdust or some other similar material. Please note that all branches of the plant must be covered. But not tightly, the plant must breathe, and since in winter there are not only severe frosts, but also a thaw, then under the shelter, if it is closed tightly, a lot of moisture and even dampness appears and it can very quickly begin to rot. In this case, you will simply lose your plant.

When you first planted a plant on your site, you need to leave it alone for a whole year and not carry out any pruning. At this time, only dry branches can be removed before winter. But from the second year, you need to start neat pruning in order to start forming the shape you need. Then trimming is needed for preventive and anti-aging. And thinning will not hurt him.

If all the processes for caring for the hydrangea are carried out correctly, then on your site, as a result, you will get a beautiful, healthy plant that will bloom well and delight you.