Hydrangea pruning

[Ric.ror]

Is it too late to take the dead heads off my hydrangea

[angiep429]

I always do mine the middle to end of March and it always flowers beautifully

[boxtops]

No, if anything it's too early. I usually wait until the last risk of frost has gone, then give it a good chopping. I cut it down to about 2-3 feet high last year, it came back better and bigger than ever!

[Prudie]

I agree with boxy. You are supposed to leave the dead heads on to protect them from frost. I haven't done mine yet.

[marmitepassion]

I'VE JUST STARTED TO DO MINE TODAY. I CHOP THEM DOWN TO A SPROUTING LEAF ABOUT 30 CMS FROM THE BASE. THIS KEEPS THE BUSH SMALLISH AND PRODUCES MASSES OF FLOWERS.

[Ric.ror]

Thank you
What about my fushia - I am new to this gardening lark

[boxtops]

I'd leave that till April. I am frustrated by mine as it got badly frosted, it still had leaves so it looks awful at the moment!

[askyourgran]

I was thinking of pruning my hydrangea but wasn't sure either, there are buds coming on the bush now I thought I was too late to do it. There has been so much frost and snow these past months I thought some of my plants would be ruined. I have a Bottle Brush plant and every year I forget to protect it from the frost. This time I think it's had it.

[carlton23]

Dead-heading
Dead blooms on mophead hydrangeas can, in mild areas, be removed just after flowering, but it is best to leave them on the plant over winter to provide some frost protection for the tender growth buds below.
Remove the dead flowerheads in early spring, cutting back to the first strong, healthy pair of buds lower down the stem.
Lacecaps are hardier, and the faded flowerheads can be cut back after flowering to the second pair of leaves below the head in order to prevent seed developing, which saps energy from the plant.