4 Key Fall Hydrangea Jobs For Beautiful Blooms (& One Mistake To Avoid)

I’ve noticed that my readers LOVE hydrangeas… So, I decided to write this article to help you take care of your favorite flowers (and to make sure I help you get blooms next year!).

If you’ve decided to add hydrangeas to your fall garden, let me tell you – it’s a great idea!

The temperature is just cool enough with increased moisture, meaning the plant will be set to establish solid roots before winter.

In this article, we’ll discuss 4 important hydrangea jobs you need to take care of when planting in fall. 

Let’s dive straight into it, shall we?

First Of All, One Thing You Shouldn’t Do!

Pruning your hydrangeas in the fall can be a serious mistake and it may impact further growth significantly.

This is because the flower buds that are formed on old wood can get cut off which would mean fewer blooms in the coming spring and summer.

To add to this, fall pruning can leave hydrangeas vulnerable and at risk of winter damage. 

It’s generally best to wait until the end of winter or beginning of spring to prune your hydrangeas as the temperature conditions will be milder. 

Hydrangea varieties that bloom on old wood include:

If you don’t know when and how to prune hydrangeas, you NEED to read this article (I explain everything you need to know and show you photos of different species of hydrangeas).

Should You Cut Back Hydrangeas That Look Like Bare Sticks? Here’s What to Know!

When your hydrangea is nothing but bare sticks, it’s easy to wonder if it’s time to grab the pruners.

The answer depends on the type of hydrangea you have.

Before you make a cut, learn which type you’re dealing with and the proper steps to take for a show-stopping hydrangea next season. Don’t prune blindly—your blooms depend on it!

4 Important Fall Hydrangea Jobs You Can’t Forget!

4 – Protect From Frost

You see, hydrangeas have extremely delicate flower buds that can easily be damaged by temperatures too low.

Frost is straight-up dangerous in this case. It can prove to be fatal for your hydrangeas if you leave them out for too long. Say goodbye to blooming and further bud development. 

Furthermore, frost can also be harmful to hydrangea foliage and stems. Because they’re vulnerable areas too, they require just as much protection and covering at times of frost.

You can either use a frost cloth to protect your hydrangeas or mulch around the base of the plants to help with temperature regulation. Whatever you do, just make sure it works because your hydrangeas will desperately need it when the time comes.

3 – Fertilize Hydrangeas

Whether your garden soil is fertile enough or not, regular fertilization will be needed if you wish to see your hydrangeas grow to their fullest.

A balanced fertilizer will be ideal because it will have a proportionate blend of all the important nutrients that your plants need to encourage lush foliage development and robust blooms.

Many people believe that fertilization is just for improving the aesthetics of the plant.

However, it actually makes them stronger and more resilient as well. Hydrangeas that have been fertilized well will be able to handle pest attacks and diseases with a lot more ease.

A few days ago I showed you in this article some homemade fertilizers that you can (and should…) use.

2 – Mulch

Hydrangeas will require you to mulch around their base so that soil temperature can be regulated and moisture is retained.

By applying mulch, what you’re essentially doing is creating a barrier between outside conditions and the bottom soil which reduces evaporation and chances of frost reaching the roots.

Another good thing about mulch is that it suppresses weeds really well. This can be beneficial for your hydrangeas since they’ll have less competition for resources and nutrients in the soil. 

1 – Special Fall Care for Blue Hydrangeas

Because blue hydrangeas typically form on old wood, they are often at risk of bud damage in the fall. It can negatively impact their health and blooming abilities.

They require special care in the form of frost protection and soil pH adjustment. 

To protect your hydrangea buds from frost damage, you can cover up the plants with large frost covers if there are chances of frost in your area.

The pH levels of the soil determine the blue color of the blooms, so making adjustments through acidic substances like sulfur can help with getting more vibrant flowers. 

Final Words

When you take on the responsibility of growing delicate flowers like hydrangeas in your garden, there are important tasks that must be fulfilled.

As a matter of fact, every plant you cultivate in your garden will require a certain level of care and attention from you; hydrangeas might just ask for a little more. 

Hopefully, this article provided you with some insight into what those particular tasks are and how you should be managing them.