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Pruning hydrangeas is an essential task to maintain their attractive shape and encourage them to bloom vibrantly year after year. However, not all hydrangea species should be pruned at the same time. It's crucial to identify the type of hydrangea you are growing before proceeding with pruning. If done incorrectly, you might accidentally remove the buds for the next blooming season. Read Step 1 below to learn about the right timing and methods for pruning hydrangeas.
Steps
Pruning Hydrangeas that Bloom on Old Wood
Identify if your hydrangea blooms on old wood. In other words, these hydrangea varieties bloom on the buds formed in the previous year. Hydrangeas with this characteristic typically flower in early summer, with blooms fading by mid-summer. At this point, the shrub begins forming buds for the next year's bloom. Hydrangea species that bloom on old wood include:
- Bigleaf or Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla and H. serrata)
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia)
- Check the images at http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/identify.html to identify your hydrangea variety before planning to prune.
Prune immediately after the flowers have finished blooming. This type of hydrangea begins to form buds shortly after the flowers have bloomed, typically at the end of summer and the start of fall. Therefore, it is important to prune the plant as soon as the blooms begin to fade in mid-summer. This way, you can trim the shrub before it starts producing buds for next year. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the plant will experience reduced growth next season.
- If you miss this window, wait until the following year to prune. Hydrangeas do not require annual pruning, so you can delay without any issues.
- If you're not satisfied with the shape of the plant, feel free to prune – however, keep in mind that if this is done at the wrong time, you could negatively impact the shape of the plant for the following spring.
Remove dead flowers. As soon as the blooms have faded, use your hands to remove the spent flowers. Pinch them off just below the flower head, at the base of the stem. This helps to keep the hydrangea looking tidy throughout the blooming season.
- At this stage, you can also remove any dead or withering branches; trim them back to the base.
Remove the oldest branches. After several years, hydrangea plants tend to produce fewer blooms. You can stimulate new growth by removing the oldest branches – up to one-third of the plant's branches. For larger branches, you may need to use pruning shears. Cut the oldest branches back to the base.
Prune to control the size of the plant. If the hydrangea has grown too large, you can prune it in June or July (right after the blooming season) to control its size a bit. Trim about one-third of the branch length, just above the nearest node. Hydrangeas tend to regrow quickly, so you may not be able to maintain the smaller size for long.
- This type of pruning is not necessary for the plant's healthy growth. Only do it if the plant is taking up too much space. When planting a new hydrangea, it's best to choose a location where the plant has room to grow freely.
- The 'Endless Summer' hydrangea variety is an exception. This plant requires less maintenance than others and can be pruned at any time – there's no specific time that's unsuitable.
- The Endless Summer hydrangea may not need care until it matures. Once it has, you can remove faded flowers in spring or fall to encourage the plant to produce new blooms.
Pruning Hydrangeas that Bloom on New Wood
Determine if your hydrangea blooms on new wood. Hydrangea varieties that bloom on new wood grow new stems each spring, which then produce flowers in the summer. These plants typically flower later than those that bloom on old wood, as they need more time to develop buds. Here are some hydrangea species that bloom on new wood:
- Panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata), such as PeeGee or Limelight hydrangeas. These varieties can be pruned into tree forms to add a focal point to your garden.
- Smooth hydrangeas (H. arborescens), such as Annabelle hydrangeas.
- Visit http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/identify.html to identify the hydrangea variety you're growing before you start planning to prune.
Prune the plant in late winter before new growth appears. These hydrangea varieties bloom on new stems, so pruning should be done in winter, before new growth begins. This is the best time of year for pruning, although it can be done at other times as well – just avoid pruning right before the plant starts blooming in spring or early summer.
- During winter, you can cut back about one-third of the branch length. Pruning at this time will help the shrub produce larger and more vibrant flowers.
- However, many gardeners prefer smaller flowers that grow on sturdier stems. If you want to achieve this, you can prune in the fall so the plant develops stronger branches before blooming.
Trim dead flower stems and tangled branches. Use handheld pruning shears to cut away dead flower stems and any branches that are tangled. This will help open up space for the plant to grow, improve air circulation, and encourage healthier growth.
Leave some old stems to support the plant and encourage better growth. Hydrangeas tend to produce large and heavy blooms, so don't prune away too many of the older stems. Keep a cluster of older branches intact to prevent the plant from toppling under the weight of the flowers.
Tips
- Avoid pruning the plant in an attempt to reduce its size. Instead, plan ahead and choose a location where the plant can grow freely.
