Hydrangeas are such a beautiful addition to any bouquet. There’s nothing quite like a bright, big bushel to complete a centerpiece or hair crown. However, are you familiar with pruning hydrangeas? Lucky for you, I have a great guide! Raise your hand if your favorite flowers are Hydrangeas…
Lucky for you, I have a great guide! Raise your hand if your favorite flowers are Hydrangeas…
Pruning Hydrangeas: How To
When pruning Hydrangeas, it’s important to realize that the plant may not need to be pruned at all, it could simply be lying in it’s “dormant” state. Getting rid of deadening flowers, or trying to make your Hydrangea bush look (and grow!) fuller are great reasons to prune your bush.
More importantly, the type of Hydrangea bush you have will determine how it needs to be pruned and cared for.
If your hydrangea bush is a little older, it can begin to look “woody.” This “woody” appearance will cause the blooms to appear smaller. Prune the few dead branches close to the soil line to improve the appearance and help the size of flowers grow fuller.
Sometimes, the weight of the flowers can weigh down the branches of the Hydrangea bushes. Causing them to droop, and potentially break. If your bushes are dealing with “drooping” issues, you can cut back stems to a length of 18 inches. Cutting back the trees will create a sturdier frame work for the flowers.
If your hydrangea blooms on old wood (stems from the previous grow season) you should prune the bush immediately after it’s flowers begin to fade.
Should your hydrangea bloom on new wood you should (branches grown during the current growth season) you should always prune the bush before additional growth begins.
If your hydrangea is re-blooming (meaning that it blooms multiple times throughout the same growth season) you can prune the shrub back at any time without affecting or harming it’s growth
Pruning Hydrangeas: When To
Remember that the biggest concern for hydrangeas and pruning is controlling size.
Bigleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophyla: prune old blooms immediately the flowers fade.
Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata : prune new blooms with a light pruning in late winter or early spring.
Smooth hydrangea: prune new blooms in late winter, or early spring before any new growth starts.
Oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia: prune old blooms in summer after the flowers have faded.
Climbing hydrangea: prune old blooms in the winter or early spring. These flowers only need to be prune to manage size.
Mountain hydrangea: prune old blooms immediately after flowering.
For some ideas for cut flowers, read here about a cutting garden. Fresh flowers can be yours all season.
Can you share any info on helping my zucchini plant to bear fruits? My plant is full of flowers but no veggies. I’m fertilizing it carefully but not too much – and still nothing! My dad bought is I need bees to fertilize it and I never see any bees!! Thank you for any help you can offer!! Joy
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I think you need more bees too! Try hand pollination!
I HAVE 3 HYDRANGEA BUSHES THAT WE PURCHASED IN 2017. NOT THAT IT IS GETTING CLOSE TO SPRING TIME WEATHER IN WEST VIRGINIA, I NEED TO KNOW IF I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO THEM BEFORE THEY BEGIN TO GROW! I WANT THEM TO BLOOM AGAIN THIS YEAR – 2018 BUT I DON’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO THEM TO KEEP THEM FROM BLOOMING. DO I BEGIN FEEDING THEM FERTILIZER TO ASSURE THAT THEY BLOOM IN THE WARMER WEATHER? I NEED HELP TO KNOW HOW TO TEND TO THEM BEFORE THE TIMES COMES.
I have a number of hydrangea and last year they all had lots of blooms on them, I pruned them a bit in late fall and this year they are not blooming much like last year, I see other ones in my area the same, this has happened before, some years a lot and others not. Is there anything to make sure you have lots of blooms each year???
I have a limelight hydrangea tree. Planted 3 years ago and the blooms are huge and beautiful most of the spring and summer. The issue is when we get rain, the large blooms soak up the water and weigh down the branches so much I’m afraid they will snap. What can I do to avoid branches breaking off?
When is the best time to prune my tree? I live in central Indiana.
Hi Greg!
Congrats on your successful limelight hydrangea tree. They are simply stunning! Rain can be an issue because like you mentioned, the flower soaks up the water. The best method to prevent brokem branches is having strong, healthy branches.
I like to prune hydrangeas in late winter or early spring. Keep in mind things such as snow levels and cold temps. I think it is best to wait for new buds to appear before pruning. The reason for this is you always want to prune (cut) above the bud. This is why I don’t encourage fall pruning. How do you know where the bud will be?
When pruning,there are some certain things to keep in mind:
1. Cut off any remaining dried flower heads-you dont have to remove them in the fall unless you want to
2. Remove any dead stems or branches to keep the tree healthy
3. Similar to roses, remove any branches that are crossing
4. If you have any small stems or ones that look weak, remove them. These break easily and can cause problems for the tree.
5. Shaping a limelight hydrangea tea is very important so remove any long branches. The idea is to provide a full shape.
Hope this will help you. Thanks for asking such a great question. I’d love to see a pic of your tree when it is bloom. Feel free to post a pic.
Happy gardening!
Jenny