
When to Cut Flowers from Hydrangea?
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs. People love hydrangeas because they can brighten up any room with their beautiful colors and unique shapes. However, it’s important to know when and how to cut hydrangea flowers so that you can fully enjoy their beauty.
The timing and skill of cutting can have a big effect on how long the flowers in your vase last and on the plant’s health as a whole. If you want to enjoy the beauty of hydrangea flowers in both your yard and your home, this guide will help you know when to cut them.
Understanding Hydrangea Varieties
It’s important for both new and experienced gardeners to know about the different types of hydrangeas because each has its own traits that affect how it blooms. There are several different types of hydrangeas, such as Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf), Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle), Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth), and Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf).
Hydrangea Macrophylla
The most well-known type is probably Hydrangea macrophylla, which is also called Bigleaf hydrangea. They can change color depending on the pH of the soil. Blooms will be blue in acidic soils and pink in alkaline soils. Their buds usually form on last year’s growth, which is why they bloom on old wood. If you want to prune or cut flowers, this is an important thing to think about because cutting them too early or too late can affect the flowers that come back next year.
Hydrangea Paniculata
Another common type is Hydrangea paniculata, also known as Panicle hydrangea. It’s famous for the cone-shaped flower groups that can be pink or white. Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, which means they make flowers on the new growth of the current season.
Hydrangea Arborescens
Tree hydrangea, also called Smooth hydrangea, has big flower groups that look like domes. A well-known variety is “Annabelle,” which has big white flowers. Also, smooth hydrangeas grow on new wood, which makes them pretty easy to care for and prune.
Hydrangea Quercifolia
Oakleaf hydrangea, or Hydrangea quercifolia, is known for its big, long flower clusters and leaves that look like oak leaves. This type blooms on old wood and is loved for both its flowers and its beautiful fall leaves.
Best Time to Cut Hydrangea Flowers
If you want to get the most out of your hydrangea flowers, whether you’re making flower arrangements or just enjoying their beauty in your yard, you need to know when is the best time to cut them. When you cut hydrangea flowers, it depends a lot on the type of flower and what you want to do with it.
Hydrangea Macrophylla
It blooms on old wood, so the best time to cut its flowers is after they have fully opened and grown up, which is usually in the middle to late summer. If you want to make fresh arrangements, the best time to cut is in the morning, when the stems are damp. Pick blooms that are still firm to the touch but have just hit full color. If you want to dry the flowers, wait until late summer or early fall, when the color starts to fade and the flowers start to feel like paper.
Hydrangea Paniculata
They bloom on new wood, so you can choose when to cut it. After the flowers bloom in the middle of summer to early fall, you can cut them at any time. Cut them when they are fully open and bright to keep them fresh. If you want to use dried flowers in an arrangement, wait until the blooms start to turn a little green or brown as they age. This usually happens in late summer. This will help the dried flowers last longer and have a deeper color.
Hydrangea Arborescens
It can be cut from the middle of summer to the beginning of fall. Flowers that have just fully opened are best for fresh arrangements. Wait until the flowers feel hard and their color changes to a more muted tone before you try to dry them.
Hydrangea Quercifolia
They bloom on old wood, so the time is the same as with Bigleaf hydrangeas. When flowers are fully grown but before they start to fade is best to cut them. This is usually in the middle to late summer. Wait to dry the flowers until they have turned a darker color. This usually happens in late summer or early fall.
Most of the time, cutting hydrangea flowers when they are fully grown and at their brightest is best. If you cut them at this point, the fresh arrangements will last longer in the vase, and the dried flowers will keep their shape and color better.
How to Cut Hydrangea Flowers?
It is important to cut hydrangea flowers the right way to keep the plant healthy and extend the life of the blooms. This is a step-by-step guide on how to well cut hydrangea flowers.
Pick the Best Time of Day
Hydrangea flowers look their best when they are cut early in the morning or late at night, and the plants have enough water. If you cut the flowers when it’s hot outside, they may die quickly. Make sure the flowers you choose are fully grown because younger flowers might not last as long when cut.
Select the Right Blooms
A good hydrangea flower is one that is fully open and feels hard when you touch it. The color should be bright, and the flowers should look clean and healthy. Do not cut flowers that are just beginning to open because they might not last long in a vase. Also, do not cut flowers that are past their prime because they will fade or wilt fast.
Use Clean, Sharp Tools
To cut hydrangea flowers, you should always use clean, sharp tools. If the tools are dull or dirty, they can break the stems, which makes it harder for the flower to soak up water. Another way to stop the spread of diseases is to clean your tools before you use them.
Make the Cut
Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle about 12 to 18 inches below the flower head. This makes more surface area for water to soak in and keeps the stem from lying flat against the vase’s bottom, which can stop water from soaking in. Cut just above a node or a group of healthy shrubs and leaves. This is where new growth will start.
Condition the Flowers Immediately
Put the stems right into a bucket of hot water after cutting them. Keeping the flowers moist in this way keeps them from dying. Take a bucket of water with you when you cut the stems if you can. This way, they won’t be wet for too long.
Strip the Lower Leaves
When you put the flowers in a bowl, take off any leaves that will be in the water. If you leave the leaves in water, they can rot, and germs can grow, which can shorten the life of your arrangement.
Hydrate and Harden Off
Keep the flowers in water in a cool, dark place for a few hours before you arrange them. This will help them “harden off.” This process lets the flowers get all of their water, which makes them last longer. If the hydrangea flower heads start to wilt, you can bring them back to life by submerging the whole head in cool water for a few hours.
Following these steps will allow you to enjoy fresh, lovely hydrangea flowers planted around your home or as part of a professional arrangement. It will also help your hydrangea plants stay healthy and strong in the yard.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make mistakes when cutting hydrangea flowers that hurt the plant’s health or make the flowers last less long. By not doing these common things wrong, you can help your hydrangeas stay healthy and your cut flowers last as long as possible.
Cutting at the Wrong Time of Day
Most people make the mistake of cutting hydrangea flowers when it’s very hot outside. They are more likely to wilt if they are cut in the hot sun because the plant is already losing water quickly. It is best to cut in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler and the plants have all their water.
Choosing Immature or Overripe Blooms
Cutting flowers that are too young or too old is another mistake that a lot of people make. Flowers that aren’t fully grown yet or haven’t opened may not last long in a vase because they don’t have the strength to stay healthy. But too-ripe blooms are more likely to wilt and might not last as long in fresh setups or when dried. The best flowers are always those that are fully open and feel hard when you touch them.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools
If you cut the stems with dull or dirty scissors, it will be hard for the flowers to soak up water. This can make the flowers last less time in the vase and make the plant more likely to get sick. Before you start cutting, make sure your tools are clean and sharp. They can also help stop the spread of disease by being sterilized.
Cutting Too Close to the Base
If you cut hydrangea stems too close to the plant’s base, you might take too much foliage, which can make it harder for the plant to make food. In the next season, the plant may not bloom as many times because of this. When you cut the stem, always stop just above a node or a set of leaves.
Forgetting to Strip Leaves
If you leave the leaves on the bottom of the stem, they can rot when they get wet, which can cause bugs to grow and make the flowers in the vase last less time. Do not put any leaves below the water line. This will keep the water clean and the flowers fresh.
Neglecting Watering Post-Cut
Hydrangeas are thirsty flowers that can quickly wilt if they are not properly watered after being cut. After cutting stems, always put them in water right away and let them sit in a cool, dark place for a few hours to soak up the water fully. If you skip this step, your blooms might look limp and lifeless.
Overlooking Pruning Considerations
People often make the mistake of not cutting properly, especially with types of hydrangeas like Hydrangea macrophylla that bloom on old wood. If you cut these hydrangeas back at the wrong time, you might miss the flower buds for next year. Know what kind of hydrangea you have and trim it correctly so you don’t cut off the blooms next year.
Ignoring Water Quality
Using dirty water or not changing the water in the vase can cause bacteria to grow, which makes the hydrangea flowers die sooner. To keep the flowers looking their best, use clean water and change it every two days. Adding a flower preserve can also help the flowers last longer.
If you don’t do these usual things, your hydrangea flowers will stay healthy, bright, and long-lasting, both in the garden and in arrangements.
Conclusion
To sum up, cutting and taking care of hydrangea flowers correctly takes close attention to detail and knowledge of what the plant needs. You can enjoy the full beauty of hydrangeas in your yard or as part of beautiful flower arrangements by choosing the right flowers, cutting them at the right time, and using the right tools. If you do these things, your hydrangeas will keep growing and giving you joy and beauty all year long.
FAQs
When is the best time to cut hydrangea flowers for fresh arrangements?
For fresh arrangements, the best times to cut hydrangea flowers are early in the morning or late at night, when it is cooler and the flowers are still moist. Choose blooms that are open but not too ripe. They will stay beautiful longer in a vase this way.
How can I ensure that my cut hydrangea flowers last as long as possible?
Follow these steps to make cut hydrangea flowers last longer: Make an angle cut with clean, sharp scissors. Put the stems in lukewarm water right away and take off any leaves that will be covered. Before you arrange the flowers, put them somewhere cool and dark to soak up water for a few hours. Every couple of days, change the water and think about using flower preserve.
Can I cut hydrangea flowers for drying, and if so, when is the best time?
Yes, you can cut hydrangea flowers to dry. When the blooms start to feel papery and lose their color, late summer or early fall is the best time to cut them to dry. This makes sure the flowers dry well and keep their color and shape.
What should I avoid when cutting hydrangea flowers?
Do not cut hydrangea flowers when it is very hot outside, as this can make them wilt. Also, don’t use tools that are dull or dirty; they can damage the plants and make it harder for them to take in water. Also, don’t cut too close to the plant’s base or forget to remove leaves that will be in water.