Hydrangea - what would you do?

[geoffman]

I’ve got this lovely hydrangea in the garden, it’s been there about 15 years and I’ve never really done anything to it apart from cuts the heads off after they bloom. It’s now all leggy and gone a bit crazy and whilst I do quite like the natural look in a garden I feel like I’ve neglected it too much but not sure how to get it under control… if I cut it right down will it come back next year? Don’t want to kill it!

I’m not great at gardening although I do try, so any advice greatly welcomed! TIA

photos incoming…

I wouldn't cut it down at the moment as the extra stress might kill it. Keep it watered and cut it back to about a foot after the frosts finish in your area. You'll see the buds but it needs chopping before they get big and break.

I think the general advice is to prune hydrangeas in late winter or early spring, just as they are about to start new growth, although climbing hydrangeas should be pruned after flowering in the summer. Hope that helps.

Having said all that, my lacecap one is massive and has flopped sideways, and is blocking the path down the garden. The flowers have finished and it has been struggling in the drought, so I'm tempted to prune it now.

Ok thank you, I’ll leave it alone for now and sort it out next year.