One hydrangea task will give 'rapid growth' if you do it now - and it's not pruning

Hydrangeas are a popular plant in many gardens, and one gardening expert has shared the best way to ensure your plant thrives - and it's all to do with cuttings

One hydrangea task will give 'rapid growth' if you do it now - and it's not pruning

Hydrangeas, with their spectacular blooms, have become a favourite among garden enthusiasts for their ability to beautify any outdoor space, while being easy to care for.

While hydrangeas are generally low-maintenance, they do need appropriate attention to flourish. A tip from Michael the Mediterranean Gardener on TikTok underscores a crucial step not related to pruning for achieving 'rapid' growth.

He advises in a video: "Do you love your hydrangea and want another plant that's exactly the same? Well now, between mid-spring and early summer, is the perfect time to take cuttings."

In the suggested period, hydrangeas produce softwood cuttings - new growth that's yet to harden, known to root quickly, thereby promising fast development into a new plant.

How to take hydrangea cuttings

Identify a healthy, straight stem about four to five inches long without flowers or buds, cutting it below a leaf node. Prepare a pot with an equal blend of compost and gritty material.

Next, strip the leaves from the sides, leaving only a pair at the apex. Regarding substantial foliage, Michael suggests: "You might find that the leaves can be quite big, so what we're going to do is just cut these in half."

Next, position the stem between the side of the pot and the compost. Give it a light misting once or twice daily, and set it in a somewhat protected spot like a cold frame or greenhouse.

But if you don't have these facilities, you can simply cover the top of the stem with a plastic bag, creating a 'miniature greenhouse'.

After four to six weeks, you'll notice new leaves sprouting. This indicates that the new plant has rooted, and you've successfully cloned the original plant.

You can then move it to a larger pot or plant it directly in your garden.

Spring tasks for hydrangeas

Spring is a crucial time for hydrangea care, setting the stage for lush blooms later in the season. Here are key spring tasks for hydrangeas:

1. Pruning

Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla) and Oakleaf (H. quercifolia): Prune only dead wood in early spring. These bloom on old wood, so avoid cutting healthy stems.

Panicle (H. paniculata) and Smooth (H. arborescens): Prune in late winter or early spring—these bloom on new wood, so it's safe to cut them back hard to shape or size.

2. Remove Winter Damage

Cut back any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Remove any leftover flowers from last year if you didn’t in the fall.

3. Apply Fertilizer

Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or one designed for flowering shrubs. Apply in early to mid-spring, just as leaves are starting to emerge.

4. Check Soil pH

For blue flowers on bigleaf hydrangeas, your soil needs to be acidic (pH 5.2–5.5). For pink flowers, keep the soil alkaline (pH 6.0–6.2). Add aluminum sulfate for blue or garden lime for pink.

5. Mulch

Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch (like bark or compost) around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Begin Regular Watering

Begin regular watering as the weather warms. Hydrangeas like consistently moist soil, especially during leaf-out and bud formation.

7. Dividing or Transplanting

Early spring, before full leaf-out, is a good time to divide or transplant hydrangeas if needed.