Shrubs - Hydrangea
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  (March) I read recently in your column not to trim hydrangeas now. Mine are already budding, so I didn't prune them. Can you tell me when is the right time to trim them?

  Most hydrangeas are budding, and beginning to grow. Pay attention to the weather now to make sure a late frost doesn't damage the tender new growth. You did right by not pruning them now. Flower buds were set last fall before they went dormant. Pruning them now would reduce your summer blooms. Any pruning that is necessary should be done as soon as the flowers begin to fade in the summer time. Thin out some older canes close to the soil line at that time.

  (March) When should I prune my hydrangeas? We moved to our house last year and there were two sizable hydrangeas already there. I left the flower heads on over the winter and did not prune anything down. I am now wondering what to do to ensure a properly cared for plant with great flowers again this summer.

  Hydrangea macrophylla, the large pink and blue flowering forms, bloom in the summer months, but set flower buds in the fall. Right now, the flower buds are set in what looks like dead sticks. If you prune them now--or if Mother Nature does, you won't have any flowers this summer. I am a bit concerned about our hydrangeas, since many of them had new buds showing green foliage in January--due to our warm spells. The subsequent freezes, may have done some damage. For now, all we can do is wait and see what happens. If the new growth appears at the soil line this spring, and not from the old stems, this means the plants were frozen back, and you can prune away, since there will be rapid new growth, and no flowers. On plants that are not damaged, prune immediately as the flowers fade. They have multiple canes, so prune some of the taller and larger canes at the soil line to reduce the overall size.

  (April) I have a hydrangea plant that has grown. I have not pruned it except after it blooms, as you suggest in your column. ?When I prune it, I cut out the dead canes. However, it is getting quite enormous. My question is, can I really cut it back BIG TIME after it blooms this spring, so that it will be much smaller when it is green thru the summer?

  As soon as it finishes blooming, prune away. Remember this plant is a cane producing plant so the best way to prune is to remove older, woodier canes at the soil line. You can remove up to half if you want. This should reduce size, and send up new younger canes for next growing season.

  (May) I put out two hydrangea last year and they leafed out OK but now the edges of the leafs are turning brown. What should I do? I have a yellow jasmine that has never looked healthy. It has a lot of dead looking stems and has never had very many blossoms. If you could give me some ideas as to how to treat these two plants I would surely be appreciative.

  Have you applied any chemicals or fertilizer near the hydrangea lately. Tip burn is usually a physical burn of some type. Water when dry, and see if it doesn't clear up. Don't do any pruning at this point, since the flowers are all set for this month. The Carolina jessamine needs sunlight to bloom. If your plant has finished blooming, try doing some pruning, both thinning and cutting back, and see if it doesn't remove the old growth, and thicken up a bit.

  (June) My hydrangeas are still in bloom but have grown so large that when it rains they bend completely over on the ground. I'm afraid the limbs will break some time. Can I prune them back and if so, when should I do this so that I will have blooms next summer. Also, how can I make the white ones turn either blue or pink? I read that lime does the trick, but not sure what color that makes them.

  Pruning of hydrangeas is often misunderstood. The common pink and blue Hydrangea macrophylla plants bloom in the summer from flower buds set the previous fall. If they need pruning, do so as soon as the flowers are finished. Cut out the taller canes close to the soil surface. This should encourage new sprouts which should be more stable, and hold more of the blooms upright. You can cut out one third of the old growth. If you have white hydrangeas, you cannot alter their color. Depending on which type you are growing will determine when to prune. The oakleaf hydrangea is similar to the H. macrophylla, blooming on buds set in the fall, so prune the same as above. The white Annabelle hydrangea, a Hydrangea arborescens is becoming quite popular. H. arborescens types bloom on the new growth and develop larger blooms if pruned hard before new growth begins in the spring. This also prevents floppy stems. Another white flowering form is H. paniculata, which also blooms on new growth, so should be pruned as needed before growth begins. It does not need as severe a pruning as the Annabelle type.

  (June) I moved into a house last summer that had several oak leaf hydrangeas in the landscape. I planted several more this spring, and when they began to leaf out I noticed that the leaves aren't nearly as large as the original shrubs. They also aren't blooming as quickly as the older plants and, although the blooms seem to match those on the existing bushes, the flowers are also smaller on the new plants. Is there another variety (such as a miniature type) of oak leaf hydrangea that has smaller leaves and flowers? If not, will the new bushes ever catch up in size with the older shrubs?

  Oakleaf hydrangeas are blooming nicely now, and are a wonderful addition to the shade or woodland garden. There are numerous varieties of the plant. Some will grow 10 feet tall or more, while others may stay as compact as 2-3 feet. The smaller cultivars tend to have smaller leaves and flower heads. Since you are unsure about variety, let them grow and see what happens. Small cultivars won't change into large ones, but new plants often don't perform as well in year one either. See what happens next year or even the year after.

  (June) We have a beautiful hydrangea at the back of our house that is about three years old. Since we hardly ever go into the back yard, we wanted to move it to another area that we could see from our carport area. Could we divide that hydrangea and leave some of it where it is now planted and plant a part in another area? If so, when would be the best time of the year to divide it? Also, we want to divide some Siberian iris and daylilies. When would be the best time of year to do this?

  Obviously mid June is not a great time to transplant existing shrubs, since we are about to hit our toughest growing season. Transplant season is considered November through March. You could divide the plant and move a portion in the fall, or you can wait until winter has passed, and the plant is intact, then move all or a portion in March. Daylilies and Siberian iris plants are tough perennials, and probably would suffer through and make a transplant now, but why not wait until it cools off this fall. It will be easier on the plant and you as well.

  (June) My Annabelle hydrangea has many big beautiful mop heads. The center ones stand up nicely but the side blooms, which are actually smaller, are almost touching the ground. Should I have fertilized? I cut the plant back in early spring to about 10 inches.

  Annabelle's are smooth hydrangeas, or Hydrangea arborescens. This is one of the few hydrangeas that blooms on the new growth, so pruning prior to new growth is encouraged -- and required. They can have huge blooms, and sometimes the stems they produce them on aren't strong enough to support them. You could have pruned them even harder, cutting them almost to the ground. I don't think fertilization would have made a huge difference, it is simply the nature of the beast.

  (July) When is the best time to cut back Hydrangea Bushes in Central Arkansas? Also, how do I keep them the bright pink they were when planted. They have gradually started turning purple. Each year the color seems to shift more and more.

  With the common pink and blue hydrangea, now is probably getting to peak pruning time. We prune as soon as the flowers begin to fade. Remove some of the older, larger canes close to the soil line to keep the plants in bound. To keep the plants pink, add some lime around the planting site. Alkaline soils produce pink blooms, and more acidic soils produce blue. Since our soils are naturally acidic, many plants begin reverting from pink to purple to blue.

  (July) I was wondering how to keep hydrangeas white. Do you have any information on this? I have found out how to make them blue or pink, but not white.

  White flowered forms should not change actual flower color‑‑they should always be white, until their peak is over. Then they can fade to pink or dusty rose. Color does not change with soil pH like on the pink and blue forms. Likewise, you can't make a white flowered plant pink or blue.

  (July) When and how is the best time and way to start a Hydrangea from an established bush.

  If a plant can be layered, that is by far one of the easiest methods of propagation available to a home gardener. Take one of the lower side branches of your hydrangea and lightly scrape the underside of the branch and cover with soil. If the branch is small and supple, you can actually weave the branch in and out of the soil a few times, getting multiple plants. Sometimes it is beneficial to weight down the branch to keep it under ground. Using the layering method lets the plant do the work of providing food and water to the "cutting" while it is establishing roots. Once roots have formed, separate it from the mother plant and plant in its new location.

  (July) I have a hydrangea bush in our yard that does not bloom. One year we had a few skimpy looking blossom in the very late summer. It gets morning sun and is in well drained soil. Other than that it is very healthy looking and grows like crazy. What can we do to get more blooms other than replacing it? Is this the kind of plant that needs to be pollinated or of only a certain sex? Will appreciate any help you can give us.

  There are a number of different types of hydrangeas, but most people are referring to the pink and blue Hydrangea macrophylla. These plants bloom in the summer, but set flower buds in the fall. Make sure you do not cut the branches from fall through spring. They look like dead sticks when they are dormant, but they actually contain the flowers for the next season. Any pruning should be done now -- or as soon as the normal flowering would be over. Thinning cuts are preferable to overall shearing. Filtered light is best, and they do need moisture to grow well. There are not separate male and female plants, nor do they need cross pollination to bloom. Mainly, they need filtered light or morning sun, a well drained, but moist location, and they should bloom. Pay close attention to the plants as they are beginning to break dormancy in the spring. If they begin growing and a late freeze burns them back, you lose the flowers for that season. If they have no flowers, they don't waste energy on blooming, and do tend to grow like crazy.

  (August) I have some hostas and a hydrangea that need to be moved. They are struggling because they get way too much sun. When do I move them-fall or spring?

  I would move them this fall. Let the weather cool off a bit and then make the move. I sometimes recommend waiting until late winter for hydrangeas to get them through the winter with a stronger root system, but if they are in the wrong locale then I would go ahead and make the move. Hydrangeas do best on the east or north side of the house.

  (August) Is this a good time to cut back hydrangeas that have completed the blooming for the year? They are about 6 feet tall.

  If pruning is needed, you would need to do some thinning very soon. Hydrangeas set flower buds in the fall, so prune as soon as possible after flowering. You can thin out several of the taller canes, and then do some general shaping.

  (August) I was wanting to know if there is a way to change my hydrangeas to a deep purple. This year they were mostly light to medium pink with a few of the blooms having some light blue and an occasional light purple. Also, I have 5 java red weigela's that did not bloomed very much this year. I pruned them last fall and was wanting to know if I pruned them at the wrong time or why else would they not bloom.

  Hydrangeas change color based on the pH in the soil. If you want a more purple shade, add sulfur. Aluminum sulfate or wettable sulfur should work. Lightly work it into the soil. Use a small amount this late in the season, but consider adding some early next spring as well. Pink means an alkaline soil, while the bluer flowers indicate an acid pH. Even though weigela bloom in late spring, they set their flower buds in the fall. Pruning in the fall removed many of them. In the future, prune weigela after they bloom.

  (August) Please refresh my memory concerning the proper pruning of hydrangeas. I think I can prune any branch now, including those which have dead 2003 blooms, as close to ground as I like, right? Is that true for Oak Leaf variety too?

  You are actually getting a little late in pruning. The big leaf hydrangeas and oakleaf hydrangeas set flower buds in late summer through early fall, and then bloom the following summer. Removing older, larger canes should be done as soon after flowering as possible. These canes should be taken out close to the soil line. This will still leave plenty of other canes which can bloom the next year, yet effectively reduce the plant size. If the plants really are overgrown, remove a few of the older canes, but leave the rest intact.

  (August) We have a hydrangea bush about 3 years old which has never bloomed. It seems healthy enough; the foliage looks good. I have moved it once but it is now located on the south side of the house and gets some direct sun in the afternoon. I have fed it acid food; superbloom; and have put mulch around it! What do you suggest?

  Make sure you aren't pruning your hydrangea in the winter months or in the spring. Hydrangeas look like dead sticks all winter, but the flower buds are set on the dormant branches. If they are pruned before blooming, or if they get frozen back, they won't bloom. They do best in filtered sunlight or full morning sun, but provided they get ample water they should survive where you have them, albeit they may wilt every day when the direct afternoon sun hits them. Leave them alone for now, and see what happens next summer. No more fertilization, no pruning, just water.

  (August) Will you tell us when is the proper time to prune oakleaf hydrangeas and is there a specific place to do the cutting? We have three at the corner of our home and they are beautiful but enormous?

  Oakleaf hydrangeas should be pruned as needed after flowering -- so now would work. They have multiple canes or stems, so you can thin them out if they are really overgrown. If possible, plant them in locations where heavy pruning isn't necessary. They have pretty fall foliage and shaggy bark.

  (August) I have several regular blue colored Hydrangeas that I want to move to another location. Do I do this in the fall or after they bloom next spring. A couple of them are a pretty good size. I also have an Annabelle that I need to move. When can I do this?

  We consider November through February to be the dormant season, and the best time to transplant existing shrubs. It is less stressful to the plant to be moved while they are not actively growing. I often prefer the early part of the dormant season, since the soil temperature is warmer and the roots can kick in and grow. But, with hydrangeas sometimes suffering during colder winters, you may want to opt for the late winter period. An established plant is stronger and can survive cold temperatures better. Keep in mind your large blue plant is setting flower buds now for next summers bloom, but the Annabelle blooms on the new growth. Avoid severe pruning of the blue one when moving, or you won't have any flowers next season. The Annabelle should be pruned hard each season, so prune it and move it in late February.

  (September) Is it too late to cut my hydrangeas back? They were beautiful when they bloomed about two months ago, but the flowers caused the branches to fall over. They are just too top-heavy and too large for the location I have them in. How much can I prune if I still can?

  There are many types of hydrangeas, but the most common are the pink and blue flowering Hydrangea macrophylla. These plants bloom in the summer and set flower buds in the fall. It is too late to prune them without interfering with flower bud set. The time to prune is as soon as the flowers begin to fade. Then you can remove some of the older, taller canes at the soil line. Many gardeners cut the canes back by one third or one half. This encourages branching which is not a great idea for hydrangeas. Each section of the stem can have a large flower, which can cause the branches to fall over. Cutting out taller, older canes down low, encourages new canes which should support the blooms better. You can prune by one half next season -- after bloom.

  (September) Four to six weeks ago I began rooting some hydrangea. They appear to be thriving. My question is should I plant them in the ground now or leave them in the pot all winter?

  If you have young plants with a beginning root system, it would be better to treat them as a houseplant for the winter and plant outdoors next spring. Keep them in a bright location, and don't overwater. Plant them outdoors next spring, after all chances of frost have passed.

  (October) I recently went to Maine and brought back a Limelight Hydrangea that grows to be trees in Maine! It is in a 10 inch pot and is about two feet tall! My question is should I plant it or keep in the pot inside? I thought these were so pretty in Maine; they have huge blooms on them and grow to be 10 to 15 ft tall there!

  The 'Limelight' hydrangea is a cultivar of the Hydrangea paniculata or panicle hydrangea. These plants can grow quite large and bloom on the new growth, so you don't have to worry about winter damaging the flowers. I would definitely plant the shrub in the ground now. It will fare much better in the soil than in a container indoors and should have no problems with winter damage. Amend the soil with organic matter, and mulch. Water periodically, even in the winter if it gets dry. Planting now should give you a stronger root system next spring and a stronger plant for the growing season. The flowers on this cultivar are reputed to be lime green, however they often appear more white than green in our climate. Either way it makes a pretty bush, growing ten feet or more in height and five to six feet wide.

  (October) I rooted a red flower Honeysuckle plant.  When do I need to plant it and does it need sun or shad? My sister gave me a Hydrangea tree that is suppose to have 3 colors to it. She order it out of a book. How much sun should it have?

  If the honeysuckle is well-rooted and has been growing outside all the time it was rooting, then plant it outdoors where you want it to grow. If, you have been rooting it indoors, and it has just rooted, continue to grow it as a houseplant until next spring. Most hydrangeas benefit from an eastern or northern exposure -- morning sun versus afternoon sun. Work in lots of organic matter.

  (October) We have two hydrangea bushes that have produced large blue blooms in the past, but this year: zip. How and when should they be pruned and fed?

  Hydrangeas are setting, or have set their flower buds now for next summers blooms. No more pruning or fertilization should be done. Any necessary pruning should be done as they finish blooming in the summer. Then remove some of the larger canes close to the soil line to reduce the overall size of the plant. Fertilize then as well.

  (December) I have had a hydrangea for about three months. It is outside and quite healthy. It is also small. What do I do with it? Can I plant it now? Should I bring it inside?

  If your hydrangea has been outside for the past three months, I would get it in the ground ASAP. It will be much more winter hardy in the ground than in a container. Hydrangeas are winter hardy in Arkansas, but occasionally can get nipped back, especially in the spring when they begin to sprout and a hard freeze follows. Keep mulch handy and protect as needed. They would not be very happy indoors, so plant where you want it, or heel the pot in the ground and mulch it for extra protection.

  (December) In a recent article, you advised someone to "toe in" their Hydrangea. I also have one in a nursery type plastic pot and it is in the house right now because we didn't get it planted outside. It has been raining so much here in Russellville that it has been hard to get out and plant it. Our age also has something to do with that.

  I believe the word was "heel in", but same basic principle. Plants which are left out in the open in containers are more exposed. The soil temperature will get colder than if it were planted in the ground, and they will dry out more quickly. Sometimes we buy plants and are not sure where we want them to be planted, or there is construction and they need to be held temporarily in containers. Heeling in is simply a means of pot or root protection for the winter. We pile up soil or mulch around the base of the plant, giving the plant more protection than staying out in the open. Don't move plants indoors if you want to plant them outside this season. Outside they are going dormant or are dormant. If they are inside for any length of time, they will break dormancy and they will not be as winter hardy. Rainfall has delayed many plantings this fall. Plant as soon as the ground is workable.

  (December) We have a question about a hydrangea.. It is two years old and we have it planted in an old cast iron washpot. In gets full sun about four hours a day. It has never bloomed and we would like to know when and where we need to transplant it to encourage flowering.

  I do hope the washpot is well drained and has a hole in it. I would plant the hydrangea in the ground in an eastern or northern location where it gets 4-6 hours of sunlight. It is possible that in the container the plant is getting frozen back to the pot, and that would be the reason for no blooms. The flowers are set now, so use caution when moving it.

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