To deadhead hydrangeas, simply cut off the faded or spent blooms just below the flower head and above the next set of large leaves. This keeps the plant tidy and can encourage new blooms, especially for reblooming varieties like Endless Summer® hydrangeas. Be careful to avoid cutting into the flower buds that will produce next year's flowers, especially on varieties that bloom on old wood. Deadheading can be done throughout the summer but should stop by mid to late fall to allow the final blooms to provide winter interest. Leaving dried flowers over winter also gives some frost protection to the plant's growth buds. Here are the summarized steps and tips for deadheading hydrangeas:
- Cut the faded bloom off just below the flower head and above the next large leaf set.
- Do not cut into the flower buds to ensure next season's blooms.
- Deadhead when flowers fade, usually starting around mid-summer.
- Stop deadheading in mid to late fall.
- Leaving dried blooms over winter adds garden interest and protects buds.
- Deadheading doesn't harm the plant and can encourage reblooming in some hydrangea types but is optional for plant health.
This approach works for various types of hydrangeas, with a note that varieties blooming on old wood (like mophead and bigleaf) require careful pruning to avoid cutting flower buds.
