How Come My Hydrangeas Are Lanky?

Legginess, also known as “spindly” or taller than its stems can support, is a common issue in hydrangeas. These plants often appear top-heavy and have flopped blooms due to the weak stems. Pruning is a crucial method to fix leggy hydrangeas, as it encourages new growth and makes the plant look fuller and more compact. To prune, start by removing dead or damaged branches, which invigorates the shrubs and promotes the development of fresh, new blooms.

If your hydrangea is leggy when purchased, shear it back hard by 1/3 to 1/2 its original size. Once it puts on an inch or two of growth, pinch the branch tips to ensure proper growth. Not all hydrangeas benefit from pruning, and many will not flower if you do. Use a pruning chart to identify which species can be cut back and those that should be left alone for good flowering.

Hydrophusas are difficult to prune, as they bloom on old wood, so cutting them way back after blooming may kill the grass in front of them. They grow up so fast that they can’t stand up on their own, and the branches are being weighed down and pulled toward the ground. If left unpruned, hydrangeas will end up tall and leggy, rather than densely packed with foliage.

Hydrophusas are thirsty, and if their stems get blocked, they wilt. Remove the foliage to prevent sucking the life out of the bloom. If hydrangeas receive too many applications of fertilizer, new growth will become lengthened, resulting in leggy and weak plants.