Maintenance Landscaping Design

Deadheading hydrangeas is a crucial part of their care. By removing spent blooms, you not only tidy up the plant, but you also encourage new growth and further blooming. It's a simple task that yields big results.

Also called

• Peegwig
  
• Peegwort
  
• Peegwood
  
• Peegwillow
  
• Peegwort

Common Knowledge

• Deadheading hydrangeas is important to their health and appearance.
  
• It encourages new growth and keeps the plant looking tidy.
  
• Deadheading is best done in the morning, after the flowers have opened.
  
• Use pruning shears or scissors to cut the stem just below the faded flower.
  
• Make sure to cut at an angle to promote new growth.
  
• Avoid cutting too far down the stem, as this can damage the plant.
  
• Try to deadhead regularly, as this will keep the plant producing new flowers.
  
• If you are unsure how to deadhead, ask a professional gardener for help.
  
• Deadheading is relatively easy once you get the hang of it.
  
• It's a satisfying task that can really improve the look of your hydrangeas.

Planting Process

1. For deadheading hydrangeas, first step is to find a pair of sharp, clean shears.
   
2. Cut each flower stem at a 45-degree angle, about 1-2 inches above where the flower meets the stem.
   
3. Try to make each cut as close to the node (where leaves are attached to the stem) as possible.
   
4. Be sure to remove any leaves that are below the cut line, as these can harbour disease.
   
5. Once all the dead flowers have been removed, give the plant a final shaping by removing any stray stems or leaves.
   
6. Hydrangeas are typically heavy feeders, so fertilize your plant after deadheading, using a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-
   
7. Water your plant deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
   
8. To help maintain a tidy appearance, consider pruning your hydrangea back by 1/3 its total height every year in late winter or early spring.
   
9. Hydrangeas are generally very pest and disease resistant, but watch for aphids, scale, or whiteflies, which can be controlled with a garden hose, insecticidal soap, or other organic methods.
   
10. Enjoy your beautiful, healthy hydrangea!

Related plant:
Deadheading Rhododendrons

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, Hydrangeas prefer well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. They will tolerate a wide range of soils as long as the drainage is good. Hydrangeas are not fond of wet feet and will show stress (leaf drop) if the soil is too wet or the roots are too wet for too long.

Light condition

So, like the other hydrangeas, deadheading hydrangeas is important to keep them blooming all season. But you also need to make sure they are getting enough sun. Hydrangeas need at least 4 hours of sun each day, so if yours is in a shady spot, move it to a sunnier location.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for deadheading hydrangeas is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too cold, the plant will not be able to produce new flowers. If the temperature is too hot, the plant will wilt.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the leaves will start to wilt and the flowers will droop. If the humidity rises above 60%, the leaves will start to yellow and the flowers will brown.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant love acidic soil, so using organic fertilizer like Miracle-Gro is a good idea. Also, make sure to deadhead the hydrangeas to encourage new growth. To do this, simply cut off the spent blossoms at the base of the plant.

Light requirement

Pruning hydrangeas is an important part of keeping these beautiful plants healthy and vibrant. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, encourages new growth and keeps the plant looking its best. When pruning, be sure to cut back to a healthy bud or stem. This will ensure that your plant continues to produce gorgeous blooms throughout the growing season.

About Propagating

Propagation is best done in late summer when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings can be taken from new growth and should be about 6 inches long. Remove the bottom leaves and put the cuttings in a planting mix. Water well and keep the soil moist. The cuttings should root in about 6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is the same as if they were not deadheaded. This is because, when you deadhead a hydrangea, you are removing the spent blooms, which makes room for new growth. The new growth will produce new blooms, giving the plant a fuller, healthier appearance. Deadheading also helps to encourage more blooms throughout the season.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that the flowers may not last as long and the plant may not look as full. To deadhead, cut the stem just below the spent flower. You can do this with your fingers or with pruning shears.

Basics of Growing

• If you want to encourage more blooms, make sure to deadhead your hydrangeas regularly.
  
• Cut off the faded flowers at the base of the plant.
  
• Try to do this in the morning so the plants have time to recover during the day.
  
• Avoid cutting too much into the green part of the plant as this can damage new growth.
  
• Make sure your pruning shears are sharp to avoid crushing the stem.
  
• Try to prune just above a set of leaves to encourage more branching.
  
• If you need to trim back the plant to control its size, do so in the early spring before new growth begins.
  
• Be patient – it can take a few years for a hydrangea to reach its full potential.
  
• Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  
• Enjoy your beautiful blooms

Related Plants

• Deadhead Rose
  
• Deadhead Hydrangeas
  
• Deadhead Peony
  
• Deadhead Lily
  
• Deadhead Geranium
  
• Deadhead Pansy
  
• Deadhead Chrysanthemum
  
• Deadhead Fuchsia
  
• Deadhead Begonia
  
• Deadhead Petunia

Source:
Hydrangea: Identify and Manage Problems - UMD
Deadheading | Mississippi State University Extension Service
Deadheading: Keeping your blooms blooming - MSU Extension