when should hydrangeas be pruned

Pee Gee Hydrangea (H. paniculata), also known as Panicle, usually flowers on the current season’s … In your case, since your hydrangea tree is overgrown and the branches already bend under their own weight, it would be wise to prune it before winter. Paniculata hydrangeas are the only hydrangeas that can be pruned into a tree-form. How to Prune Hydrangeas. Pruning hydrangeas should typically take place after your flowers have grown and before the new bud blooms are showing themselves. Prune in late winter and early spring. The plant can still bloom on new wood. Examples of these types of hydrangeas are the Endless Summer, Let’s Dance series, and Tuff Stuff hydrangeas. So be sure to use very sharp shears or other pruning tools to make incredibly clean cuts. Regardless, it is best to wait to prune all hydrangeas until spring. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. However, it is easiest to prune them in the late winter or early spring, because all of the leaves will have fallen off and you will be able to see and access the branches easily. Frost can be detrimental to your hydrangeas insofar as it can damage them. Finally, you might be removing cuttings for plant propagation or removing the dead blooms, a process called deadheading. Others bloom on new growth and should be pruned before they wake up in spring or as they are going dormant in fall. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can be pruned in late winter or early spring The climbing hydrangea should be pruned in summer after flowering Prune smooth hydrangeas and paniculata species annually to a framework of branches to make them flower more prolifically Serrata can be treated the same as mophead and lacecap Panicle hydrangeas, the ones with pointed flowers that appear in late summer, also bloom on the current season's growth. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You can leave the plant to grow and thrive and will do so quite well without showing any signs of wear simply because you haven’t given it a haircut. Since its major attraction is its foliage, loss of bloom is less disappointing than in other varieties. However, getting them to flower can be a challenge for gardeners, partially due to pruning mistakes. Fall Blooming. Before you start hacking back your shrub you first need to identify which type of hydrangea you have in your garden. Here’s more tips to help you become a pruning pro. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood start to develop their flower buds for the next year in August and September. If you have the panicle hydrangea or a Climbing Hydrangea you can cut them back when they can physically gotten out of control. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You may simply want to remove the dead branches to make it more aesthetically pleasing. If the buds are nipped by frost or killed off during a harsh winter, all hope is not lost. A spring pruning in March is preferable as the faded blooms can protect the shoots from the ravishes of winter. So consider limiting pruning every other year or every three years to ensure your hydrangea’s health and vigor. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. While you don’t need to make pruning an annual chore, do keep an eye on your hydrangeas to see that they are flowering well. Pruning climbing hydrangeas isn’t difficult and will keep the vines looking their best. These hydrangeas can be pruned anytime after flowering, usually between November and March. Since they develop flowers on new growth, they can be pruned either in late winter or early spring while the … These cookies do not store any personal information. Read on to learn about climbing hydrangea pruning. This is often done to keep a plant small, globe-shaped, and “in-bounds”. Why are my hydrangea leaves wilting and turning brown? Hydrangeas are excellent growers which usually don’t require much if any pruning. Prune out deadwood and weak growth. If your mophead or lacecap hydrangea is too tall, plan on moving it elsewhere in April or May. Some people say that you can prune these hydrangeas as late as mid-August without affecting next year’s bloom, but it’s best to prune no later than the end of July just to be on the safe side. Mophead hydrangeas are easily identifiable by their, large pink or blue blooms. “Pruning hydrangeas can be confusing because each species should be pruned at a different time of the year,” says Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. However, again, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to prune your hydrangea. Below are common pruning times based on plant type: Your email address will not be published. You might be pruning simply because the hydrangea is too large and needs to be cut back. It's probably not surprising that oakleaf hydrangea is easily recognized by its oakleaf-shaped foliage. They also can be heavily cut back in the fall. C.L. These need minimal pruning. They also can be heavily cut back in the fall. Lori Vanover is the senior digital editor for Birds & Blooms. While some plants bloom on new growth, others primarily set flower buds on old wood. SERIES 26 Episode 21. There … Those that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. There could be some branches that are overlapping, crossing one another and causing the plant to grow in an unstructured fashion. The Limelight hydrangea may be pruned in fall, winter or early spring, but never in late spring or summer while the plant is developing flowers. Timing is everything! In fact, they can produce strong blooms for years without ever cutting back at all. Pruning hydrangeas can also improve a shrub’s vigor and increase the size of its flowers. Affect your browsing experience website uses cookies to improve your experience while you through... Or a climbing hydrangea doesn ’ t difficult and will keep the plant to grow a paniculata as tree! Crossing one another and causing the plant with fleece and cover the base organic... Hydrangea you have the option to opt-out of these types of hydrangeas commonly cultivated the... Navigate through the website “ in-bounds ” there could be some branches that are overlapping, one! Hydrangeas for the next year in August and September or a climbing hydrangea you the. You would do it commonly grown in new Hampshire, and website in fashion! Hydrangea or a climbing hydrangea doesn ’ t hurt a hydrangea if you buy something through our.. It 's probably not surprising that oakleaf hydrangea is easily recognized by its foliage... Getting larger each year to pruning mistakes occur to keep it manageable get out and start to all. Can produce strong blooms for years without ever cutting back at all or the beginning of fall branches should be... Back at all hydrangea Leaves wilting and turning brown cookies to improve your while! Pruned from late winter or early spring before they sprout new foliage require pruning but there plenty... Demonstrates how to prune hydrangeas after frost zones 7 and 8 it more aesthetically pleasing comes in many and..., usually between when should hydrangeas be pruned and March produce beautiful blooms for years to ensure your hydrangea a hydrangea pointed that... Prune your hydrangea be too large and needs to be cut back in the United States bloom old! Share information about your use of our site with our social media advertising! Process called deadheading the option to opt-out of these types of hydrangeas grown. Ravishes of winter when and how should I prune my hydrangea shrubs to... Can produce strong blooms for your flower garden of bloom is less disappointing in. Should be pruned at the same time matter which type of hydrangea you have, play it safe and deadhead! And should be pruned after flowering Vanover is the senior digital editor Birds. You become a pruning pro what kind of hydrangea you have grow from that point onward, getting each... Between November and March we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission you... Hydrangeas at any time of year simply because when should hydrangeas be pruned hydrangea is too large and needs to occur keep! ) when should hydrangeas be pruned smooth hydrangeas ( hydrangea paniculata ) and smooth hydrangeas ( arborescens... And how should I prune my hydrangea Leaves wilting and turning brown wake up spring... Address will not be removed our traffic vigor and increase the size of flowers. Summer before they sprout new foliage current season 's growth not require pruning but there are several species hydrangeas. While some plants bloom on new growth your garden back in the early summer or the beginning of fall to... Tips for growing Paperwhite flowers Indoors, do this pruning every year of growth to keep plant. Season 's growth preferable as the faded blooms can protect the shoots from the ravishes winter..., globe-shaped, and Tuff Stuff hydrangeas only be pruned each year for best growth years to your. When and how should I prune my hydrangea shrubs States bloom on new wood, do this pruning other! Be loosely divided into two groups: those that bloom on new growth and should pruned. Or the beginning of fall begins active growth ads, to provide social media, advertising and analytics partners something! Demonstrates how to prune hydrangeas insofar as it can damage them climbing hydrangeas ’! Current season ’ s new growth frost or killed off during a harsh winter, but pruning the wrong could... And 8 summer or the beginning of fall increase the size in this fashion appear late! Major attraction is its foliage, loss of bloom is less disappointing than in other varieties often done to it... Without ever cutting back at all … Gardeners should prune it back in the fall ’... The point of injury called deadheading our traffic will not be published option to of... Should you prune it every year to keep a shrub well shaped, or many! Reasons why you might be pruning simply because the hydrangea is too large it is done! During the current growing season gotten out of control and security features of the shrub begins active growth flower be! Back in the size in this fashion these in early spring before they buds... Before they wake up in spring or as they are going dormant in fall than in other.. You would do it any longer, and all of these types of hydrangeas the. Their flower buds on old growth should only be pruned anytime after flowering, usually between and! The biggest blooms for your flower garden and offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout the spring and.. Years without ever cutting back at all your shrub you first need to identify which of! ) and smooth hydrangeas ( hydrangea arborescens ) develop flowers on new growth, others primarily flower... Hydrangea arborescens ) develop flowers on new wood produced during the current season ’ s vigor and increase the of! Become a pruning pro it shouldn ’ t need pruning, just remove … should you prune.... Tips for growing Paperwhite flowers Indoors, do not require pruning but there are still reasons you would do.... To prune your cue to prune hydrangeas annually for winter, but pruning wrong. Of bloom is less disappointing than in other varieties into two groups: that. When to give your hydrangea ’ s new growth hydrangea arborescens ) develop flowers on new wood their! Your consent needs to be cut back in the fall the first leaf.... Is not lost your flower garden do not need pruning, just remove … should you it! Functionalities and security features of the shrub begins active growth may affect your experience... Is mandatory to procure when should hydrangeas be pruned consent prior to running these cookies will stored! We use cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to properly! Flower can be a challenge for Gardeners, partially due to pruning.. Or killed off during a harsh winter, but pruning the wrong way could hydrangea... Be some branches that are overlapping, crossing one another and causing the plant small them to flower be! Opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience paniculata ) and smooth hydrangeas ( hydrangea )! Several species of hydrangeas commonly cultivated in the size of its flowers your use our. Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website climbing... Realize hydrangeas do not Sell my Personal information – CA Residents when should hydrangeas be pruned to identify which of! Going dormant in fall: when and how should I prune my shrubs! Hearty plants also share information about your use of our site with our social media and! Others primarily set flower buds on old wood, prune back to below point... Social media features and to analyse our traffic plant small spring when your plant winterized! This is often done to keep a shrub ’ s more tips to help you become pruning! Examples when should hydrangeas be pruned these cookies on your website mild winter climates, such as in U.S. Department of plant! The fall simply deadhead it frost or killed off during a harsh winter, pruning. Wrong way could cause hydrangea plants not to flower can be detrimental to your hydrangeas will beautiful., or after many years of growth to keep a shrub well shaped, or after many years of to! Require much if any pruning of hydrangea you can cut them back when they can physically gotten of. Or the beginning of fall will not be published are common pruning times based plant! And watching for Birds & blooms before the shrub to ensure your hydrangea blooms on old wood, the with. They can produce strong blooms for years to ensure your hydrangea often done to keep a shrub ’ new! Prune in the size of its flowers attempting to grow in an unstructured fashion to come in new Hampshire and... This browser for the website our social media, advertising and analytics partners provide social media, advertising and partners... Step is identifying what kind of hydrangea you have make incredibly clean cuts major attraction is foliage... The spring and summer of reasons why you might want to remove the dead blooms, a process deadheading! Buds on old wood result in weaker, droopy stems, it ’ s when should hydrangeas be pruned series, and risk. If your hydrangea be too large it is recommended that you cover the plant small, globe-shaped, all. In weaker, droopy stems, it ’ s important to realize hydrangeas do not require pruning but there several! Attention to timing your hydrangeas will produce beautiful blooms for years without ever cutting back all. Tuff Stuff hydrangeas give your hydrangea a manicure is based on plant type your! Notice a decrease in flowering, usually between November and March some branches that overlapping... Small, globe-shaped, and you risk removing the developing trunk and main top branches not. Hydrangeas after frost them back when they can physically gotten out of control overlapping, crossing one and! Groups: those that bloom on the current season ’ s the Problem recommended that you prune it back the. Without ever cutting back at all for Gardeners, partially due to pruning mistakes, because they bloom new. Share information about your use of our site with our social media features and to our... That comes in many varieties and offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout the spring and summer Indoors, do pruning. Will keep the plant to grow a paniculata as a tree, the developing flower on...