Two of the most often asked questions about hydrangeas are when and how these magnificent plants should be pruned. It is important to identify the types of a hydrangea before pruning because some form their flower buds on old wood, meaning next summer’s buds are already present on the branches in fall and winter while others form their flower buds on new wood, once they begin to grow in spring. One common misconception about hydrangeas is that one can prune them throughout the season to keep them shorter. The act of pruning in general, stimulates new growth and shortening hydrangeas in height isn’t effective because they will grow right back to their original size or larger.
Pruning Hydrangeas That Bloom On Old Wood
Most hydrangeas that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after they are done flowering. But some varieties finish flowering so late in the season that pruning them after they bloom doesn’t leave enough time for them to regrow and form flower buds for next year. That’s why those varieties should not be pruned except to remove any completely dead branches in the spring once the plant starts to leaf out. All oakleaf hydrangeas, bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas that are not rebloomers and bloom exclusively on old wood.
Pruning Hydrangeas That Bloom On New Wood
Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring. Next year’s flower buds won’t be formed until late spring the same year they bloom. All smooth hydrangeas and all panicle hydrangeas bloom exclusively on new wood.
Pruning Reblooming Hydrangeas
Reblooming hydrangeas are a bit difficult in terms of the right pruning time as they produce flowers on both old and new wood. Reblooming cultivars should be pruned the same way as hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as removing dead branches in the spring once the plant starts to leaf out. Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are typically reblooming varieties.
Hydrangeas – How Much To Prune
It is safe to prune as much as one-third off on varieties that bloom on new wood. However, removing too much may i.e. weaken the framework of a standard tree-form hydrangea or remove too much foliage for an adequate amount of food to support the root system. The safest cut is one to make just above a set of large, healthy leaves. If a branch is broken or dead, it can be removed completely.
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