hydrangea plants

[JUDY]

what is the proper time to prune a hydrangea plant? i live in the bootheel of missouri and my plant has stopped blooming.

[robber1]

This was answered only days ago, however, it should not be pruned unless you accept the loss of next seasons flowers. Only cut back branches which are intrusive. I suspect it stopped flowering either because it was cut last year, or lack of water in a hot summer.

[Drewhound]

You can prune them in autumn or early spring (where you are I suggest the spring because I think you have pretty cold winters). Take some of the oldest stems off first, right to ground level, and then cut back the others to just above a joint. This will not stop them flowering, on the contrary it encourages latge strong flowers and stems

[robber1]

Next seasons flowers grow on this seasons wood. The new bud appears below the old flower head. Cutting back removes this and new growth will not produce flowers until the year after. Cutting back to ground level encourages more growth fom the base. If Drewhound doubts this, read any gardening book, or grow them for thirty years like I have. :o)

[Newt]

Hi Judy, You've gotten several different answers and the fact is that they are all correct, but it depends on which hydrangea you have. The oakleaf hydrangea shouldn't be pruned at all. Here's a site that will help you id which type you have and when to prune. http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/index.html Since this site you have posted on is in the UK, you might want to look here for info on gardening in the US. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/ Newt

[Drewhound]

Thank you robber1 but so have I. As Newt says it depends which ones they are but for the majority grown in Britain I stand by what I say Maybe you'd like to read this http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_hydrangea .shtml I should like to point out that it's not only the first buds that flower, or hasn't robber1 noticed this?