Q: When the Chattahoochee flooded my yard, a cluster of twelve-foot tall ‘Tardiva’ hydrangeas was left a total mess. Can I prune them now instead of next February without any adverse effects?

A: There is no problem at all pruning them now. Unlike the common bigleaf hydrangea, ‘Tardiva’, ‘PeeGee’ and ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas all make their blooms on branches that grow after March. They can be cut to whatever height you like anytime after the blooms fade in fall.