annabel hydrangeas running amok

by maude
(sudbury, ontario)

These white hydrangeas have taken over - were here when we moved 18 years ago and 5 years ago became belligerent. We tried digging them up - it just encouraged them. Before they eat the limestone and the marble stones, what do we do? They are beautiful in late summer and fall, but now require far too much work. Help.


Doug says start digging. Cut them to the ground in the spring and dig as many roots out as you can. Move them if you want to establish them in another part of the garden. Keep digging. They're a big shrub and there will be lots of roots but that's what we call pruning with a 4x4. Good luck.,