Question
QUESTION: I just discovered your website and have a question about my blue mophead Hydrangeas. I live in Virginia Beach and for no reason at all, I just decided to cut back my Hydrangeas to about one foot high.  I was doing some yard work and thought" that I had read somewhere that they should be cut back in the winter After that I was not quite sure whether I had done the right thing and decided to look online for answers. Most of the cut off stems did have buds on them. Now I am not sure if I have killed the plants. Help me. Save me from myself........Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Sandra,
Thanx for your question.  You didn't kill the mopheads but they probably won't bloom this year because you've probably cut off all their blooming buds.  

I've included a link here to a wonderful hydrangea forum that I enjoy and it is very helpful.  In general, you should not prune mopheads.

Here's the link and I hope it helps.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/pruning.html

Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much Tom. I would just like to know. After I cut the stems from the Hydrangea, I placed them in a large bucket of water thinking that perhaps I could get them to grow or possibly root for planting elsewhere. Is this possible or should I shorten the stems and place them in soil? They still have the buds on the stems and seem to be doing nicely. Thank you, I feel so encouraged by your response.

Answer
Hi Sandra,
Thanx for your question.  The stems with buds on them will not root in a bucket of water.  If you want to root stem cuttings, trim all the buds off and make the cuttings about 6 inches long.  Dip them in rooting hormone and then stick them about 1 inch deep in warm, wet sand.  Place inside a large, clear, plastic bag to maintain moisture.  Keep warm (about 75-80癋).  It will take at least 8 weeks for rooting to start.  When you see new buds, your stems are rooted or rooting.  I hope this helps.
Tom