Gardening expert confirms if you should prune hydrangeas during winter

When it comes to creating a beautiful garden, a lot of people are drawn to hydrangeas.

They are a genus of flowering shrubs with colourful blooms that are actually native to Asia and the Americas. People tend to like them as they have a long blooming season, and they can also change colour too.

But, when it comes to knowing what to do with them during the winter, some people get confused. Luckily, a gardening expert has shared how to care for them if you’re unsure.

Ish, known as gardening.with.ish on TikTok, recently revealed all in a candid video. If you’re wondering whether you should cut your hydrangeas back before spring, he has the answer.

He said a lot of people tend to ask him how to care for the popular bloom during winter. According to the expert, there’s a simple rule you need to follow.

Ish said: “It’s about these brown mop heads here. A lot of people think that we should cut them away and get them ready for the new year but, actually, what I like to do is leave mine on until around about early spring time.

“I find that this little extra layer on a hydrangea plant actually offers a little bit of a thermal protection and, because the plant has gone dormant, it means that there’s no real wasted energy having this here either.

“So, if you want to keep your plant nice and happy and protect it from frost, then leave these on. In spring, they’ll be nice and healthy and ready to grow again.”

The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was shared, and people were quick to comment too. Dozens asked questions about winter gardening.

One person commented: “Oh damn. I cut mine off ages ago.” A second replied: “My hydrangea thinks it’s still summer. The flowers have faded, and the leaves are still glossy and bright. New growth too.”

A third added: “Always leave the heads on mine. Gives that extra protection during the winter months.”

Meanwhile, a fourth chimed in with: “I think they look nice as well. They offer some texture and interest.”

When it comes to general hydrangea care, they tend to need regular watering and fertilizer to thrive. To ensure the colour of the flowers change later in the year, you can also alter the soil pH.