A Day Pruning Hydrangeas
Pruning Hydrangeas: Breathing New Life into a Totnes Garden
Yesterday, I spent a cracking day in a customer’s garden here in Totnes, tackling their hydrangeas with a hard prune. For me, pruning’s not just about snipping away—it’s about giving plants a fresh start, clearing out the old to make way for the new. With over 20 years of gardening under my belt, from Dartington Hall to Totnes backyards, I love these hands-on days that transform a space. Here’s how it went, complete with some before-and-after shots to show the magic.
The Job: A Hard Hydrangea Prune
Hydrangeas are a Totnes favorite—those big, bold blooms brighten up any garden. But this patch had seen better days, with tangled old wood, dead heads, and a shape that’d lost its way. The customer wanted them tidied up and ready to thrive come summer, so I rolled up my sleeves and got stuck in.
Cutting Back the Old: First, I went in hard, pruning out the dead and woody stems right to the base. It’s like a haircut for the plant—get rid of the split ends to let it grow strong.
Shaping Up: Next, I shaped the bushes, trimming back last year’s growth to a few healthy buds. Hydrangeas love a good prune—it keeps them compact and bursting with flowers.
Dead Heading: Those faded blooms from last season? Snipped off. It’s not just about looks—dead heading stops the plant wasting energy and sets it up for a cracking display.
Before: A Bit of a Mess
Before Pruning Hydrangeas
Before the prune—old wood and dead heads hiding the hydrangeas’ potential.
This was the scene when I arrived—overgrown, a bit wild, and crying out for some love. You can see the old stems choking the base and last year’s blooms still hanging on. It’s a classic case of a good plant needing a firm hand.
After: Fresh and Ready to Grow
After a hard prune—tidy, shaped, and set for a stunning Totnes summer.
Look at that! After a few hours with the secateurs, the hydrangeas are neat, healthy, and poised for a big show. The customer was chuffed—said it’s like a new garden already. I reckon these’ll be popping with color by July.
Why Pruning’s Worth It
A hard prune like this isn’t just for show—it’s about the plant’s future. Clearing out dead wood lets light and air in, cutting back encourages fresh growth, and shaping keeps it from sprawling all over your plot. Plus, in Totnes, where we love our gardens green and lively (Biodiversity), it’s a win for the whole space. I do this kind of work all the time—check out my Gardener page for the full rundown.
Fancy a Prune?
Got hydrangeas—or anything else—needing a trim? I’m your man. From Hedge Trimming to Planting, I’ll sort your garden with the same care I gave these beauties. Drop me a line at kevin@totnesgardening.co.uk for a free chat—let’s get your Totnes garden ready to shine!
