When & How to Cut Hydrangeas from a Bush

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Make your beautiful hydrangeas last longer with expert-backed steps
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Hydrangeas are lovely flowers that make a pleasant addition to your yard, garden, or home. If you’re growing hydrangeas, you may occasionally need to cut blooms either for an arrangement or to keep your plant looking great. Hydrangeas can be a little trickier to cut since they produce a sap that makes the cut flower wilt faster. However, there are a few easy techniques that will keep your freshly cut hydrangeas looking great for several days.

How do you cut hydrangea flowers?

Look for mature hydrangea flowers—which will look larger than other blooms—and cut them in the morning. Make the cut just above the joint where the two stems meet, and cut them at a 45º angle. Cut an “X” into the bottom of the stem before placing the bloom in water.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cutting Flowers for an Arrangement

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  1. Your flowers will look fresher than if they’ve been under the hot sun all day. Since the flowers are fresher, they will last longer in your arrangement. [1]
    • It’s best to wear gloves while you cut the flowers.
  2. The larger, riper blooms will look great in your arrangement and will hold up better in the vase. This will keep your arrangement from wilting early. [2]
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  3. Follow the stems down to where they meet, then place your shears just above the joint between the two stems. Cut the stems at an angle so that they can absorb water better. [3]
  4. Hydrangeas have a hard, woody stem that does not easily absorb water. Making a cross-cut into the bottom of the stem will fix this issue and allow the stem to absorb water. [4] Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the underside of the stem one way, then turn the stem and make a second cut to create the cross. [5]
  5. Stick the flowers in a temporary vase or jar while you continue cutting. This will help you preserve the cut flowers for longer, keeping your bouquet fresh. [6]
    • Fill this vase or jar ahead of time and keep it near you.
    • You can use tap water or filtered water.
  6. If leaves are in the water, it will increase the bacteria growth and reduce the life of your arrangement. Once you’ve gotten all of your cuttings inside your home and are ready to create the arrangement, use your sharp scissors to remove the lower leaves on the stems. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Pruning Overgrown Flowers

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  1. Old wood hydrangeas reach peak blooming in the summer. Pruning too early in the growing season will encourage your hydrangea to keep blooming. This means you would have to prune several times in the same season. [8]
    • Be sure to prune before late summer. The buds that will bloom next year form in late summer or early fall, so pruning late will result in no blooms the following year.
    • If you miss the window, wait until next year. Otherwise, you risk removing the buds that will bloom next year.
  2. New wood hydrangeas bloom later than old wood hydrangeas because the younger stems take longer to reach blossoming. Their new buds will form in the winter, so don't prune later than the fall. [9]
  3. This will revitalize your plant, though you can trim less depending on your preferences. If you prune too much, it can change the shape of your hydrangeas. Hydrangeas will often grow back to their regular size, and over-trimming can result in uncontrolled growth. [10]
  4. Dull flowers can make your plant look blah, but pruning them away will allow for new growth. When you cut away old blooms, you encourage your plant to produce more blooms. [11]
    • Faded or wilting flowers can be pruned at any time.
  5. Your plant will look better, and new growth will eventually emerge, either in this season or the next blooming season. [12]
    • You can prune back brown, dead spots during blooming season if you see them. This will keep your plant blooming.
  6. This will improve the look of your plant and ensure hardier growth during the next blooming season. Cut the branches where they meet another branch. [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preserving Cut Flowers

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  1. Hydrangeas produce a sap that makes it hard for them to absorb water. This means that cut flowers, if left untreated, will quickly wilt. You can solve this issue by boiling away the sap. [14]
    • You only need enough water to cover the ends of the flowers.
  2. You can leave the boiling water in the pot while you dip the stems. Use a timer to make sure that you don’t leave them in the water too long, which could damage the ends. [15]
    • Put just the bottom .5 in (1.27 cm) of the ends into the water.
    • If you think you damaged the ends, you can cut above the damaged part and try again.
  3. The stems should immediately go into the cool water to stop the heat from continuing to affect the ends of the stems. Once they’re in the vase, you can arrange the cut flowers until you like the look. [16]
  4. As an alternative, you can dip the freshly cut ends of the stems of your flowers into the spice alum, which helps prevent the sap from clogging the stem. Cut off the tips of the stems, then dip the ends into the spice. You can then arrange the flowers as you normally would. [17]
  5. Fresh water will keep your flowers looking nice longer. If you leave the old water, bacteria will be able to grow, causing your flowers to wilt sooner. [18]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Where do you cut hydrangea blooms for vase?
    Jeanne Walker
    Florist
    Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
    Jeanne Walker
    Florist
    Expert Answer
    You can scrape the ends a bit to help the stem access water. Place the stem on its side on a hard surface, rub the blade of a knife gently back and forth over the stem.
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  • Question
    How long can a hydrangea live inside in a pot?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    It can live many years, as long as it receive the necessary water and nutrients.
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  • Question
    When can hydrangeas be harvested in northern Indiana?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    Depending on the climate, hydrangeas can begin to be harvested in June or July.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Gardening gloves
      • Pruning shears
      • Sharp scissors
      • Jar or vase
      • Water
      • Pot
      • Bowl
      • Alum (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://northerngardener.org/arranging-flowers-cut-from-the-garden/
      2. ↑ https://northerngardener.org/arranging-flowers-cut-from-the-garden/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VaE_8pZdg&feature=youtu.be&t=71
      4. ↑ Jeanne Walker. Florist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db2O6ZIjA48&feature=youtu.be&t=40
      6. ↑ Jeanne Walker. Florist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db2O6ZIjA48&feature=youtu.be&t=71
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VaE_8pZdg&feature=youtu.be&t=29
      9. ↑ https://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/268-86.pdf
      1. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/flowers-shrubs-trees/general-care-hydrangeas
      2. ↑ https://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/268-86.pdf
      3. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
      4. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/hydrangea/pruning-guide
      5. ↑ https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ho/ho70/ho70.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.bbg.org/article/cut-flower_care
      7. ↑ https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/how-to-keep-cut-flowers-fresh/
      8. ↑ https://www.bbg.org/article/cut-flower_care
      9. ↑ https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/how-to-keep-cut-flowers-fresh/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cut hydrangea blooms, wait until the morning when it’s cool so they look fresher. Then, locate a large, mature bloom and follow the stem down to where it meets another stem. Then, use clean pruning shears to cut the stem just above where the 2 stems meet. Make your cut at an angle so it’s easier for the stem to absorb water. You should also use your shears to make a cross-cut in the bottom of the stem—otherwise it will be too woody to absorb water. Quickly place the stem in a vase with cool water, then repeat the process with the other blooms you want to cut. Trim off any leaves that fall below the surface of the water so they don’t rot. Change out the water in the vase every day to keep your blooms fresh for longer. For helpful tips about how to preserve cut flowers using hot water, read on!

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