Disbud first year hydrangeas to encourage growth?

13 years ago

Well, I've done it, planted all 75 Limelight hydrangeas in a hedge along my entire property fence. Started out planning only to plant 20 of them along the east fence, but then one thing led to another and...well, it's done.

The ones planted in March while dormant are doing very well. They only need watering maybe once every couple of weeks. The new ones planted in early and late May are struggling more. They still need daily watering in our 90 degree windy heat or they'll start to droop.

But despite this, I see many of them budding up to flower. Should I prune off the immature flower buds to encourage more root and green growth this year? Will it help, hurt, or not matter to the plant?

Thanks!

gardenerzone4

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

lovelycolors
13 years ago
wondering the same... ok to deadhead hydrayas now
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
13 years ago
Hi! If you wish to thicken your plant maybe you could just pinch the tips out on the branches that don't have an apparent bud. Unless you've got a bud on everyone of them! I don't think I'd have the heart to prune immature flowers off as in time the plants will thicken on their own anyway. Now, later in the season say a month or so from now maybe you could pick some flowers and bring them in the house to enjoy for a few weeks and the stems that you pick, will sent up 2 shoots where they were cut if you cut just above a pair of leaves. There will still be plenty of growing season left for new growth and budset. Good Luck,

Donna
Related Professionals
Allentown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fort Lee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rancho Palos Verdes Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wakefield Landscape Contractors · Manhattan Landscape Contractors · Norristown Landscape Contractors · Paso Robles Landscape Contractors · Pompton Lakes Landscape Contractors · The Woodlands Landscape Contractors · Uxbridge Landscape Contractors · Washington Landscape Contractors · Boulder Siding & Exteriors · Kennewick Siding & Exteriors · Silver Spring Siding & Exteriors · West Milford Siding & Exteriors
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
13 years ago
I just remembered I had taken these pictures of Limelight last year @ Heritage Museums and Gardens on Cape Cod and they were spectacular, I thought you Limelight lovers would enjoy them.............
From DEXTER RHODIES @ HERITAGE PLANTATION

We're down there all the time and every year they look like this, just stunning!!
From DEXTER RHODIES @ HERITAGE PLANTATION

Hope yours all look like this some day...........Donna
gardenerzone4
Original Author
13 years ago
Donna, thank you SO MUCH for posting these pictures. I'm excited to see any pictures of a mature hydrangea hedge.

It's going to be a couple of years before my hedge can come into its own. Right now the plants are still small, not connected, and I have a makeshift barricade made of 3 foot tall stakes with ropes strung between them so my 130 pound dog doesn't trample the hydrangeas when he runs along the fence . It isn't much to look at. :( But I can envision the end result, and that vision keeps me watering and weeding and tending to those baby hydrangeas.

How tall is that hedge in the pictures?

Thanks!
Gardenerzone4
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
13 years ago
Hi! The hedge ranges between 5 and 6 feet tall! It is truly amazing, glad you liked the pictures! Of course, this is the fall color I think this was taken in Sept or Oct. And, of course, Cape Cod is Hydrangea Heaven they have very acid soil and they have the bluest hydrangeas you've ever seen, they are just everywhere! Heritage Museums and Gardens has, within the last few years planted a hydrangea garden with dozens of varieties. Last year the plants were quite small, but we haven't make it down there in the last few weeks. When we do, I'll take pictures it should be really spectacular and inspiring this year!!

Donna