When Should Hydrangeas Be Split?

Splitting or dividing hydrangeas can be beneficial for various reasons, such as increasing the size of your garden or preventing them from outgrowing their surroundings. Bigleaf hydrangeas are easy to divide during early spring or mid to late fall, as they are dormant and less vulnerable to disruption in the summer.

The best time to divide hydrangeas is in spring, just as new growth is starting to emerge, or later in the fall before the plant goes dormant. Avoid dividing in summer as it is too hot for the plant to establish a good root system. In early spring, new green buds are starting to swell and open along the stems.

In the Northern hemisphere, autumn is the best time for planting and transplanting hydrangeas, as temperatures are about 75 or lower. Southern hemisphere gardeners may be able to transplant hydrangeas when temperatures are about 75 or lower, as long as they are attentive to their needs for a month or so.

Watering hydrangeas thoroughly the day before is essential to loosen the soil around the plants. Big leaf, oakleaf, and smooth hydrangeas can be propagated by division, while panicle hydrangeas and climbing hydrangeas are not easy to divide. The best time for hydrangea transplanting is just after the bushes have gone dormant in the autumn, as the flowers have all died back and most or all of the hydrangeas have grown.

In summary, splitting or dividing hydrangeas is a common technique used by gardeners to rejuvenate their growth and maintain a healthy environment.

What is the best month to prune hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are typically pruned in late winter or early spring, with climbing hydrangeas being pruned after flowering in summer. Hydrangeas bloom from mid- to late summer, while mophead and lacecap hydrangeas bloom satisfactorily with little attention. Annual pruning encourages new growth and better flowering display. Other species, including climbing hydrangeas, benefit from a trim. Timing is usually late winter/early spring, but sometimes late summer. Pruning hydrangeas can be easy to moderate.

What happens if you plant hydrangeas too close to each other?

Planting hydrangeas close together can reduce airflow and increase disease prevalence. To ensure healthy plants and gardeners, leave adequate space between plants. Incrediball hydrangeas should be 3-5 feet apart, but can be spaced 3 feet if desired. The number of plants needed for a hedge depends on the plant spacing, and using a plant calculator can help determine the number of plants needed for your space. See how some great gardeners created hedges for inspiration.

What is the best time to propagate hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are woody-stemmed shrubs that root differently than non-woody, soft-stemmed plants, making them difficult to root in water. To optimize results, root them properly in potting mix. Professional growers use “softwood” cuttings, which root quickly and yield better results. Time propagation for late spring or early summer, when new stems first start to harden, between May and mid-July. This stage allows for vigorous growth and the use of a premium rooting hormone like GardenTech’s RootBoost™ Rooting Hormone.

To begin propagation, gather necessary tools, including a sharp, clean knife or pruners, a container with warm water, RootBoost TM Rooting Hormone, a planting tray or cup-like containers filled with moistened potting mix, a pencil-sized stick or garden dibble for planting holes, and plastic bags to form miniature greenhouses around the cuttings. This will help ensure efficient and clean cuttings for hydrangea propagation.

Will hydrangeas multiply?

Hydrangeas, commonly sold as well-developed plants in pots, can be propagated for a fraction of the cost of nursery hydrangeas, which can cost between $25 to $50. By taking stem cuttings and rooting them, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars on propagation. Hydrangeas are particularly suitable for this method, as they grow quickly and can become mature flowering shrubs within a year. They provide a lush feel to your yard and are synonymous with summer on the East Coast, evoking an elegant, laid-back energy. With a little effort, you can fill your green space with these stunning, multi-flowered blooms in shades of pink, white, red, purple, and blue.

When to split hydrangeas in the UK?

Divide bigleaf hydrangeas in early spring or mid to late fall, keeping divisions consistently damp and treating them as new plants. These divisions have smaller, compromised roots that can’t extract as much moisture from the soil as mature hydrangeas. Most hydrangeas thrive in damp, well-drained, rich soil with morning sun and afternoon shade. They can survive in deep shade but may not bloom as well or at all. For deep shade, choose native smooth hydrangeas, known as Hydrangea arborescens.

When can you split hydrangeas?

Divide hydrangeas in spring and autumn, watering thoroughly and choosing mild weather, preferably overcast, to minimize stress. Avoid tearing or breaking the roots during division, and trim excess roots for quicker recovery. Avoid over-pruning, as too many can stress the plant and too few can delay growth. A balanced approach is essential, with too many roots causing stress and too few causing delay.

What month is best to transplant hydrangeas?

The optimal period for relocating hydrangea bushes is during the cooler months of November in climates with cooler temperatures and frozen ground, and during the warmer months of December to February in warmer climates. Nevertheless, transplantation can be performed at any point in the year without causing harm to the plant, provided that the plant is not exposed to high temperatures during the summer months. The initial step is to excavate a hole in the intended location, as the process of transplantation necessitates a significant degree of soil disturbance.

Should hydrangeas be cut back for winter?

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as panicle hydrangea, is a plant with conical-shaped flower heads that can be pruned back to just above a fat bud in fall, late winter, or spring. These plants produce buds in late summer to early fall, which will form next year’s flowers. To maintain winter interest in your landscape, it is recommended to wait until late winter or spring. Popular panicle hydrangeas include Quick Fire®, Limelight, and First Editions® Berry White®.

What not to plant next to hydrangeas?

Lavender, a Mediterranean plant, is sensitive to soil moisture, humidity, and sun, preferring dry, rocky, sandy conditions. Its unhappy condition can cause it to turn yellow, brown, and snap off its stem. Daffodils can be toxic to other plants due to their secreted substance. Marigolds, while a great companion plant for many herbs and vegetables, do not like hydrangeas. They prefer sun and prefer their feet in drier conditions, and if placed in moist ground, they will droop, turn yellow, and eventually die.

Should hydrangeas be cut all the way back?

To prune hydrangeas, start in early spring by cutting back last year’s growth to a healthy framework between 30cm and 60cm high. Prune to just above a pair of healthy buds on each stem, and cut back to the lowest healthy buds for big flowers or less hard for a natural look or taller plant. Climbing hydrangeas like Hydrangea anomola subsp. petiolaris and Hydrangea seemannii should not be pruned until after flowering.

Can you cut a piece of a hydrangea and replant it?

The speaker posits that propagation is of greater consequence than water, and that soil is a more indispensable resource. However, following the cutting process, the cuttings should be submerged in water.