As our gardens wind down for autumn and winter, knowing what plants to cut back (and which ones to leave) can help your outdoor space get off to the best possible start next spring.
But what should you do with hydrangeas in October? With once-blousy blooms turning into papery brown flowerheads, many gardeners wonder whether to prune them now or leave them alone for winter interest (they make excellent shelter for birds).
'In October, the main job with hydrangeas is to give them a light tidy and some winter protection, not a hard prune,' Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, tells House Beautiful UK.
If you grow mophead and lacecap types (Hydrangea macrophylla) and oakleaf hydrangeas (H. quercifolia), it's best to leave the old flowerheads on for now.
'These flower on last year's wood, so cutting them back in autumn can remove next year's buds. The dried heads also help shield the young buds below from frost. Trim them off in late winter or early spring instead,' says Julian.
'Only cut back the types that flower on new wood, like panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). You can give these a light trim after flowering or cut them back harder in late winter/early spring; they'll still bloom on fresh growth the following year. Dead or damaged stems can be removed at any time.'
Julian also advises holding off on feeding in October (he says it's best to save fertiliser for spring when the plant can actually use it). Instead, water only if your hydrangeas are looking very dry. Established plants in the ground usually don't need an extra soak.
'Mulch around the base with bark, compost or shredded leaves, keeping it just off the stems so they don't rot. If yours are in pots, move them somewhere sheltered, raise them on pot feet, wrap the pot in bubble wrap if needed, and water sparingly over winter. Clear away fallen leaves and spent blooms around the base to reduce disease risk.'
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