Protecting smooth hydrangeas - Ask Extension
I have several smooth hydrangeas (Annabelle and Incrediaball). Last winter, the rabbits ate the shrubs to the ground. But they returned and grew beaut...
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Protecting smooth hydrangeas #890613
Asked December 08, 2024, 10:00 AM EST
I have several smooth hydrangeas (Annabelle and Incrediaball). Last winter, the rabbits ate the shrubs to the ground. But they returned and grew beautifully. I know this type of shrub grows from new wood, but I am wondering if I should protect them from rabbits eating them to the ground. It doesn’t seem healthy for any plant to be taken down to the ground every winter. Or are the rabbits doing me a favor by pruning them for me? Since they grow from new wood I know the old branches will not produce. Thank you.
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Some kinds of shrubs, including smooth hydrangeas, grow well despite occasional or even annual coppicing or rejuvenation pruning.
Whether to adopt this practice intentionally or by default (rabbit predation), depends upon landscape objectives. Severely pruned smooth hydrangeas are usually shorter and more compact with larger flowers than those pruned lightly or not at all.
However, the following research indicates that limiting rabbit damage may benefit the plants' health in the long run.
https://www.finegardening.com/article/a-better-way-to-prune-smooth-hydrangeas?srsltid=AfmBOor47KTChiCu2PdYnDnQskgcbe2WiX-8KBAOZLYtNPXBTw7IJGz7
Whether to adopt this practice intentionally or by default (rabbit predation), depends upon landscape objectives. Severely pruned smooth hydrangeas are usually shorter and more compact with larger flowers than those pruned lightly or not at all.
However, the following research indicates that limiting rabbit damage may benefit the plants' health in the long run.
https://www.finegardening.com/article/a-better-way-to-prune-smooth-hydrangeas?srsltid=AfmBOor47KTChiCu2PdYnDnQskgcbe2WiX-8KBAOZLYtNPXBTw7IJGz7
