How should I prune hydrangeas?
Paul Talbot, by email
Stefan says: You have several hydrangeas in your seaside garden but they’re large and seem overgrown and didn’t have many flowers this year. Pruning varies with the kind of hydrangea and most of the species and varieties require none, but as you have a seaside garden, I shall guess the majority of yours are of the mophead and lacecap varieties.
Cut out up to one third of the oldest or weakest shoots each season, cutting back to a few centimetres above soil level. You can do this now, especially as you’re probably in a mild area, but I still think it best to wait until spring. At the same time, cut off the dead flower heads, cutting back to a strong pair of new leaves and similarly cut back any frost-damaged shoots.