Re: Should I be pruning yet?

I haven't heard of people smoking hydrangeas before. I don't have any so I can't try it.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

All pruning should be done in the Winter for most things.

I always prune my apple trees in Jan and my pear trees in late Feb and any other fruits in these times.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

I believe it depends on which sort of Hydrangea's you have, Tess? You're right to wait until March time if they are the Mopheads like mine, but I think you will find the Lacecaps are hardier and can be done after flowering has finished.

I read somewhere once, that with the big Mopheads, leaving the dead tops on helps protect from frost getting down into the stems.
I won't be doing mine till sometime next month.

Dongles, I didn't know Osteo's were perennial? Do yours over winter in the ground, or do you bring them in?

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

I've been out "pruning" this morning-if I have loppers in my hand-look out plants!

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

Mups my osteospurmum is in a pot outdoors and it has flowered through most of the winter .... albeit smaller bronze flowers.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

Oh, that's interesting Mags, thank you. I must look that up. I've only had the bedding varieties, like large Daisy-type blooms, I love 'em.
I tried to take some cutting to over winter last year, but unfortunately, they failed.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

Thanks Galty.

Yes, it's all done now and looking much tidier. Most of the stuff I was intending to cut back just fell away anyway so it must be the right time.

I'm full of the joys of spring now (well almost).

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

Mine are in the ground permanently but what seems to have happened is they have spread to new parts with the original rotting away. They were described as hardy when I bought them but I understand it depends on temperatures and which part of the country you live in. Here in the SW, it's been warmer than the North in general.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

Aha. I think the penny has finally dropped, and I have got a couple after all.
Mine are the Hardy whitish-pinky/mauvy daisy looking ones that spread into quite large clumps, is that what you mean Dongles?

I forgot about those tucked away in a corner here. I was thinking about the pretty bedding ones. Apologies - yet another senior moment.

Re: Should I be pruning yet?

That's the ones Mups. They are great and last all summer.