Thinking seriously about "shovel pruning" two hydrangeas.

9 years ago

This makes me sad, but I've about had it with my only two mopheads: Endless Summer and Sadie Ray. ES is over 10 years old and produces one flower head each year. One memorable summer it was covered in blossoms, but that happened only once. Sadie Ray has never produced anything. They're supposed to bloom on old wood as well as new, but they don't.

I wouldn't mind just leaving them where they are (two different locations) for the foliage, but it's a chore to cut back the long stems. Plus the stems become woody and the cut ends are sharp, presenting a hazard for my two little grandsons.

The physical effort involved in digging is daunting, but I'm also concerned that I could be the reason why these plants don't bloom. Perhaps I've missed something. ES is in part shade; Sadie is in mostly sun. I fertilize with camellia/rhododendron fertilizer at the suggestion of a friend in MN whose ES is spectacular.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

PS: My paniculatas do very well. Here's a Limelight in October.

Featured Answer

luis_pr

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Yes, a lot of people complain about ES not producing bloomage too (in cold areas usually) and not reblooming for whoknowswhy reasons.

I would not fertilize these problem hydrangeas at all; do a soil test to see if the soil has too much nitrogen (get a soil test kit at a plant nursery; make sure you do not prune after June and then, in Spring, leave the stems alone to wait for leaf out until mid to late May. A;so check how much sun they get and check if the flower buds are being eaten by deer/squirrels/etc, when the buds open and you are not looking. Periods of dry soil followed by wet soil and back to dry soil could kill flower buds so make sure the plant gets water evenly instead. :o)

Consider putting a wire cage around the hydrangeas so the grand kids do not get hurt by dried out stem coming off winter. Maybe also use winter protection in the Fall (use mulch or leaves) inside the wire cage. In future years, when they are older, see if the grand kids themselves will help and prune these dried out stems for you when they visit. My nephew and niece used to help a lot this way! :o)

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Comments (15)

nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
You are NOT alone..these hydrangeas have disappointed many people..including me..if you live in a colder zone they don't bloom..it's a mystery to me that your friend in MN has one that does well.. I'm trying growing mine (7 of them) in pots and overwintering them in my shed..we'll see..have you tried arborescens hydrangeas?..they work as well as paniculatas..
Alisande
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, Nicholsworth! No, I haven't tried arborescens, but I'm intrigued. I'll look into them.

My friend in MN works in a nursery. Perhaps that's the explanation. :-)
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nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
a pic of some of my Annabelles..the Incrediball variety has bigger flowerheads..
Alisande
Original Author
9 years ago
So pretty! I love the whole setting, the ferns, heuchera, etc. I looked up arborescens, and would love to try Incrediball. I could put it in the sunnier of two spots. I've read mixed info on how much shade the plant can tolerate.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
I have 4 different arborescens..Annabelle, Incrediball, White Dome (a flatter lacecap type bloom) and Bella Anna (medium pink bloom..disappointing)..don't have any good pics on hand to show you..my sister's Incrediball has bigger blooms than mine but in my opinion mine is prettier because being in more shade my blooms and leaves stay fresher - no brown edges..
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have an Endless Summer, about 4 years old, that's doing great. I don't understand what you said about trimming the stems back - I NEVER trim the stems. Unless it's midsummer and I can see a dead one in there. Why are you trimming?

Here's its picture in July 2015.
Alisande
Original Author
9 years ago
Littlebug, I'm trimming because leaves appear only on new growth. The long stems from the previous year remain woody and bare.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
I've had the same experience as Alisande..they died back to the ground..
Alisande thanked nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
luis_pr
9 years ago
That is right. The stems can die if they get too cold, if the plant lacks water or if temps are mild and suddenly come crashing well below freezing. When one of those things happen and the stems dry/die, the plant develops new stems from the crown.
Alisande thanked luis_pr
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
9 years ago
Hmmmm. My old stems don't all die. And I have new ones come up, too.

I follow the recommendations of the Missouri Botanical Gardens on trimming: Missouri Botanical Gardens on Endless Summers
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
9 years ago
You all got me curious, so I checked out my Endless Summer today. New growth is starting in the middle, and there's a bud on an old stem. (See red circles.)
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
I see some old stems leafing out which is more than mine ever did..you probably know not to cut anything off yet..does it look the same at this point as in other years?..if so no worries..so pretty in your pic..can't believe your success in zone 5..
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
9 years ago
Well, I didn't take any pictures of my ES at this point in the season before this year, so I'm not sure if it's the same. I assume it is.

My Endless Summer is at the SE corner of my house, and my next door neighbor's house - on the south side - is probably only 30 feet away. So it is very well protected. It gets full sun till about 11 a.m. or so, then dappled or even less.

Last year I planted a few Limelights and White Outs in the same general area, between my house and the south neighbor. I hope they do well too. So far, so good.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
9 years ago
sounds like the perfect planting location..I bet the Limelights and White Outs will do well too..post pics!!