By removing spent flowers correctly and at the right time, you encourage healthy growth and continuous blooming throughout the season.
Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, is an important maintenance practice for hydrangeas that encourages larger, more abundant blooms. Regular deadheading not only improves the plant’s appearance but also redirects energy from seed production to root and stem development, promoting healthy growth and stronger flowering. This guide covers when and how to deadhead different types of hydrangeas, along with techniques to maximize bloom size.
Deadheading serves several purposes:
Encourages Reblooms: Some hydrangea varieties, such as reblooming Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea), can produce more flowers if spent blooms are removed promptly.
Promotes Larger Blooms: By cutting off dead flowers, the plant can channel more energy toward developing bigger, healthier blooms in the next season.
Improves Appearance: Removing faded flowers enhances the plant’s aesthetic appeal, keeping it neat throughout the growing season
Nikko Blue Hydrangea – Hydrangea macrophylla or Bigleaf Hydrangea
The timing of deadheading depends on the type of hydrangea and its bloom cycle.
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea): These hydrangeas bloom on old wood, meaning their flower buds develop the previous year. Deadheading should be done throughout the growing season, but avoid heavy pruning after mid-summer to protect next year’s buds.
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea): These bloom on new wood, making them more forgiving. Deadhead spent flowers throughout summer to encourage continuous blooming.
Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea): These hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be deadheaded after flowers fade in late summer or fall.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): These hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so deadheading should only involve removing spent flowers, being careful not to cut budding stems
Limelight Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Follow these simple steps to deadhead hydrangeas correctly:
Tools Needed: Use sharp, sterilized pruners to prevent plant damage and reduce the risk of infection.
Locate the Spent Flower: Identify faded or dead flowers that no longer add to the plant’s appearance.
Find the First Set of Leaves or Buds: Trace down the stem below the spent bloom to find the nearest healthy set of leaves or flower buds.
Make the Cut: Cut about ¼ inch above the nearest set of leaves or buds. Avoid cutting into the developing buds for next season.
Dispose of Cut Flowers: Remove the spent blooms to discourage fungal growth or pests around the plant
Peegee Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’
Selective Cutting: When deadheading, be selective with the cuts. Trimming too far down the stem could remove potential flower buds for the next season, especially in varieties that bloom on old wood.
Regular Inspection: Inspect hydrangeas weekly during the growing season to catch spent flowers early. Removing old blooms promptly encourages continuous flowering and reduces energy wasted on seed production.
Prune Lightly After Deadheading: For Smooth and Panicle hydrangeas, deadheading followed by light pruning can encourage new growth, resulting in larger blooms.
Annabelle Hydrangea – Hydrangea arborescens or Smooth Hydrangea
Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Deadheading Too Late: For old-wood bloomers, avoid deadheading beyond mid-summer, as it may remove next year’s buds and reduce flowering.
Cutting Too Deep: Cutting too far down the stem can eliminate healthy buds needed for the next season’s blooms.
Using Dull Tools: Dull pruners can tear plant tissue, increasing the risk of infection. Always use sharp, clean tools.
While deadheading benefits most hydrangeas, it’s not always necessary. Some varieties, like Oakleaf Hydrangea, have flowers that age gracefully and don’t require removal unless desired for aesthetics. Panicle hydrangeas also develop decorative dried flowers that can be left on the plant for winter interest and pruned in early spring.
Continuous Blooms: Removing spent flowers encourages reblooming in varieties like Bigleaf and Smooth hydrangeas.
Healthier Plants: Deadheading reduces the risk of fungal infections by eliminating decaying flowers.
Improved Bloom Size: By preventing the plant from diverting energy to seed production, deadheading helps it focus on producing larger, more vibrant blooms.
Pinky Winky Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea
Yes, removing dead blooms, known as deadheading, helps redirect the plant’s energy from seed production to root and stem development. This practice encourages better growth and, in some cases, promotes additional blooming, especially for varieties like reblooming Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). However, deadheading should be done with care, especially for species that bloom on old wood, to avoid removing future buds.
To keep hydrangeas blooming continuously:
Pruning techniques vary based on the hydrangea type:
When deadheading or pruning hydrangea blooms, follow these steps:
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Hydrangeaceae |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Hydrangeaceae |
Genus | Hydrangea |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!