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The Art of Hydrangea Pruning | Gardening Workshop

  • 9th Mar 2027: 11am - 1:30pm
  • 18th Mar 2027: 11am - 1:30pm
  • 23rd Mar 2027: 11am - 1:30pm

Book your place

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Ever wondered how Cornwall gets those famous deep-blue hydrangeas? It's all in our acid soils; and March is the month to prune. Join us at Heligan to learn how to tell your hydrangeas apart and prune each type properly, with hands-on practice in the garden. Beginners welcome.

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Few plants reward good pruning quite like a hydrangea — and few cause quite as much doubt. Cut the wrong one too hard and you lose a whole summer of flowers; leave another untouched and it grows tired and shapeless. The secret is simply knowing which type you have, and March, as the garden stirs into life, is the perfect time to act.

In this hands-on workshop, led by one of our gardeners, you'll learn to identify the main kinds of hydrangea and understand how each one flowers. We'll explain why the lacecaps are pruned lightly and why others, like the mopheads and paniculatas, can be cut back hard for a burst of vigorous new growth. You'll learn how to read a plant, remove old and crossing wood, and shape it for a healthy, flower-filled summer.
Then you'll put it into practice in the garden, secateurs in hand and guided at every step. Here in Cornwall, our acid soils are what give so many hydrangeas their famous deep blues and you'll learn how to care for and prune them to keep those blooms coming year after year. By the end, you'll never look at a hydrangea with uncertainty again.
Whether you have a border full of them, a single treasured shrub, or you just fancy learning something new, you'll leave with practical skills and the confidence to prune your own with care.

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What you will learn:

• How to identify the main types of hydrangea in your garden
• Why different types are pruned in completely different ways
• How to prune mopheads and lacecaps without losing the flowers
• How to cut back paniculata and 'Annabelle' types for strong new growth
• How to remove old, weak, and crossing stems and shape the plant
• Hands-on practice, plus the confidence to prune your own at home

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• We will be outside for the duration of the workshop, so please dress appropriately for the Cornish weather – whether raining or sunny

• Suitable, sturdy footwear is recommended.

• There is no need to bring any equipment – all will be provided.



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