When & how is a cut advisable?

Velvet hydrangea blooms on last year's wood

Like so many types of hydrangea - like the popular one Farm hydrangea - also blooms Velvet hydrangea on perennial wood. The flower buds for the following year develop at the end of the flowering period in the previous year and are also located close to the faded flower plates. For this reason, the withered flowers should not be removed in autumn, but only in spring after the last late frosts - they serve as effective winter protection for the new buds. An annual pruning is not necessary, on the contrary: such a measure would be the Plants enjoy blooming to reduce.

Perform a rejuvenation cut every three years

Nevertheless, you should rejuvenate your velvet hydrangea about every three years to prevent it from aging. This threatens, for example, when the bloom subsides. In addition, you can safely prune if the velvet hydrangea does not grow as desired. In this case, the flower fails or is reduced, but since the velvet hydrangea is very easy to cut and also problem-free

sprouts from sleeping buds, a more radical cut back remains without further consequences.

For the rarely due pruning, you can proceed as follows:

• The best cutting time is after the flowering period in early autumn.
• Alternatively, a cut in early spring is also possible.
• However, avoid pruning during periods of frost.
• Cut half of the shoots - if possible the oldest - down to the ground.
• Thinning out shoots that are too close together or that are growing incorrectly.
• In this way you ensure that sufficient light and air also get inside the plant.

Dead or diseased shoots, on the other hand, should be removed as soon as possible throughout the year. They weaken the plant and represent a gateway for viruses, fungi and other pathogens.

Tips & Tricks

In spring, cut young velvet hydrangeas just above the pairs of eyes (and be careful not to cut away any flower buds!). With this measure you promote strong branching and thus more flowers in the future.