If your mophead or lacecap hydrangea is too tall, plan on moving it elsewhere in April or May. You can prune limelight hydrangeas at any time of the year, because they are hearty plants. She enjoys growing vegetables in containers and raised beds and watching for birds in her backyard. Those that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. The first step is identifying what kind of hydrangea you have. Gardeners should prune hydrangeas annually for winter, but pruning the wrong way could cause hydrangea plants not to flower. Although the only essential work is to remove dead wood in spring, these species flower more prolifically when pruned back annually to a framework of branches. Wait until Spring to prune hydrangeas. 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. Big-leaf hydrangeas … If you are hacking away at a branch, for example, you will leave multiple cuts in the wood and you run the risk of accidentally cutting into new, healthy wood where the new bud blooms likely are growing. 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. However, again, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to prune your hydrangea. So, when do you prune hydrangeas? Regardless, it is best to wait to prune all hydrangeas until spring. The panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) develop flowers on new wood produced during the current growing season. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Paniculata hydrangeas are the only hydrangeas that can be pruned into a tree-form. Since its major attraction is its foliage, loss of bloom is less disappointing than in other varieties. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. – J & k Digital Media Ltd, the owner of this website hydrangeaguide.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking pyracantha.co.uk to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.co.uk. The two commonly cultivated hydrangea species that bloom on new wood are: Keep in mind that maintenance pruning, which includes removing diseased and dead wood as well as deadheading old flower blossoms, can be done at any time. Dear Helen: When and how should I prune my hydrangea shrubs? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Pee Gee Hydrangea (H. paniculata), also known as Panicle, usually flowers on the current season’s … Jane demonstrates how to prune hydrangeas for the best blooms. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Winter is a great time to put on some warm clothes and get out and start to prune. It, too, blooms on old wood so should not be pruned until after flowering. This may weaken the plant, however. Copyright of hydrangeaguide.com 2020. Deadheading: If your climbing hydrangea doesn’t need pruning, just remove … In these situations the time of year is as follows: It is best to cut back your hydrangeas when you are preparing them for winter. The plant can still bloom on new wood. They also can be heavily cut back in the fall. It will be easier to control the shape in the size in this fashion. If your hydrangeas live in a cold climate, late fall weather is the perfect time for them to harden off, you can use this same time to prepare them to make it through the coming winter. Mophead hydrangeas are easily identifiable by their, large pink or blue blooms. These need minimal pruning. That means no blooms next summer. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood produce their flower buds on the current season’s new growth. Cutting back after the foliage and growth has fallen off and protecting it against frost damage will allow your hydrangea to focus on conserving energy and then regrowing. There could be some branches that are overlapping, crossing one another and causing the plant to grow in an unstructured fashion. A spring pruning in March is preferable as the faded blooms can protect the shoots from the ravishes of winter. First, it’s important to realize hydrangeas do not need pruning every year. Psst—check out the biggest blooms for your flower garden. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. How to Prune Hydrangeas. Then, of course, make sure that you cover the plant with fleece and cover the base with organic matter. If not, there is a risk that they snap off in snowy or icy weather, so, in October or November, simply cut all branches back to about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) from the top of the trunk. Should you prune hydrangeas after frost? Because they bloom on new wood, prune these in early spring before they sprout new foliage. Then, no matter which type of hydrangea you have, don’t prune more than one-third of the shrub. If you have the panicle hydrangea or a Climbing Hydrangea you can cut them back when they can physically gotten out of control. This is often done to keep a plant small, globe-shaped, and “in-bounds”. That depends on the kind of hydrangea. It's probably not surprising that oakleaf hydrangea is easily recognized by its oakleaf-shaped foliage. Not all of these shrubs should be pruned at the same time. 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. If it has experienced winter dieback, prune back to below the point of injury. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. These hydrangeas can be pruned anytime after flowering, usually between November and March. Hydrangea Leaves Curling – What’s the Problem? … Exactly what you do depends on what kind of hydrangea … You might be pruning simply because the hydrangea is too large and needs to be cut back. Hydrangeas are a beautiful shrub that comes in many varieties and offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout the spring and summer. Lori Vanover is the senior digital editor for Birds & Blooms. Prune in late winter/early spring when your plant is winterized. It will grow from that point onward, getting larger each year. Finally, you might be removing cuttings for plant propagation or removing the dead blooms, a process called deadheading. If one is attempting to grow a paniculata as a tree, the developing trunk and main top branches should not be removed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you plan on preparing your hydrangeas for winter you can save some of the dead leaves and other compost matter to fill in the cage and protects the plants from the cold, but mix them with things like pine needles or oak leaves to add buoyancy. Pruning only needs to occur to keep a shrub well shaped, or after many years of growth to keep it manageable. Read on to learn about climbing hydrangea pruning. These plants can be pruned from late winter to early spring. First things first—make sure your shears are sharp! Since they develop flowers on new growth, they can be pruned either in late winter or early spring while the … As mentioned above, some gardeners prune their hydrangeas hard to the ground (3-12” high) regularly. Old Wood vs. New Wood. Panicle hydrangeas, the ones with pointed flowers that appear in late summer, also bloom on the current season's growth. Any nights where the temperatures drop below 32 degrees F, the plants lose heat in their leaves, the water inside the plant freezes, and the cells burst. These cookies do not store any personal information. If you’re not 100% sure what variety of hydrangea you have, play it safe and simply deadhead it. So consider limiting pruning every other year or every three years to ensure your hydrangea’s health and vigor. Hydrangeas that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. 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 The majority of hydrangeas commonly cultivated in the United States bloom on old wood. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. If it blooms on old wood do this: Here’s more tips to help you become a pruning pro. Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)Even though I’m located in Zone 5, my ‘Endless Summer’ mophead hydrangea—which usually has huge blue blossoms all summer long—was killed to the ground.Luckily, it has the wonderful ability to bloom on both old and new wood, so even though they were a bit later than usual, there were still many blooms. We never sell your information. Hydrangeas should be pruned each year for best growth. When Should Hydrangea Be Pruned? The panicle hydrangea can also be cut back into the shape of a tree unlike the other varieties.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hydrangeaguide_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',105,'0','0'])); When you go to prune it is best that you do it early in the morning with a good pair of secatuers. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood start to develop their flower buds for the next year in August and September. But deciding when to give your hydrangea a manicure is based on the type you have and the purpose you are fulfilling. The three commonly cultivated Hydrangea species that flower on old wood are: There are some varieties of H. macrophylla that are reblooming, or remontant, meaning these cultivars will produce flower buds on both old and new wood. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Pruning hydrangeas can also improve a shrub’s vigor and increase the size of its flowers. When to Prune a Climbing Hydrangea. Wait any longer, and you risk removing the developing flower buds. Pay attention to timing your hydrangeas will produce beautiful blooms for years to come! Not all hydrangeas should be pruned at the same time of year. Others bloom on new growth and should be pruned before they wake up in spring or as they are going dormant in fall. “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. Fall pruning is best done only in mild winter climates, such as in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 and 8. Prune as far back as you want right above the first leaf joints. So be sure to use very sharp shears or other pruning tools to make incredibly clean cuts. Timing is everything! Prune out deadwood and weak growth. You may simply want to remove the dead branches to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Hydrangeas can be loosely divided into two groups: those that bloom on old wood, and those that... Old Wood. Panicle hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata: Often pruned as tree forms, these shrubs (Tardivas, PeeGees) explode with panicle-shaped white flowers in mid- to late summer. Getting Your Hydrangeas Ready for Winter. Some hydrangeas bloom on new growth and should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before the shrub begins active growth. Before you start hacking back your shrub you first need to identify which type of hydrangea you have in your garden. Should your hydrangea be too large it is recommended that you prune it back in the early summer or the beginning of fall. Our site is reader supported, this means we may earn a small commission from Amazon and other affiliates when you buy through links on our site. In fact, they can produce strong blooms for years without ever cutting back at all. Probably the most commonly grown here is bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea … More About Pruning Different Hydrangea Types. Oakleaf hydrangea also blooms on new season growth and can be pruned in late winter or early spring, while dormant, to remove dead wood. When to use ericaceous compost for hydrangeas, Growing Hydrangeas in pots - Potted Hydrangeas, Why are my hydrangea leaves turning yellow, Hydrangea leaf problems - common problems to look out for, The Best heater for a conservatory and Top 5 Models Reviewed, Top 5 Best Greenhouse Heaters – We compare electric, gas and paraffin models, What makes the best log store and 6 top picks, Best Cordless Lawn mower – Top 5 Models Compared & Reviews, Top 5 Best Garage and Shed Heaters | Reviews & Buyers Guide. In these situations the time of year is as follows: Should your hydrangea be too large it is recommended that you prune it back in the early summer or the beginning of fall. Fall Hydrangea Care 101 To Prune Or Not To Prune. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. They also can be heavily cut back in the fall. 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. 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. Frost can be detrimental to your hydrangeas insofar as it can damage them. Prune in late winter and early spring. While some plants bloom on new growth, others primarily set flower buds on old wood. Repeat this pruning every year to keep the plant small. Therefore, if you are going prune them, try to finish as soon as possible after they are done blooming—by August 1 at the latest. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood produce their flower buds on the current season’s new growth. Hydrangea serrata can be pruned in the same way as mophead and lacecap hydrangeas Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens are treated differently. Those that bloom on old woody growth should only be pruned after flowering. Others bloom on new growth and should be pruned before as they are growing dormant in the fall but before they “wake up” in the spring. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. C.L. Pruning climbing hydrangeas isn’t difficult and will keep the vines looking their best. If you are preparing for winter you can cut most of the grows back to the ground after fall but before the first frost in your area. When you notice a decrease in flowering, that will be your cue to prune in the fall. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Hydrangeas are beloved summer-blooming shrubs. Examples of these types of hydrangeas are the Endless Summer, Let’s Dance series, and Tuff Stuff hydrangeas. SERIES 26 Episode 21. Hydrangeas are excellent growers which usually don’t require much if any pruning. Why are my hydrangea leaves wilting and turning brown? There are several species of hydrangeas commonly grown in New Hampshire, and all of them have very different growth habits and pruning requirements. If the buds are nipped by frost or killed off during a harsh winter, all hope is not lost. Pruning Hydrangea Trees. If your hydrangea blooms on old wood, do this pruning immediately after the flowers fade in the end of summer. “The five common hydrangea can be divided into two groups for pruning purposes: those that bloom on old wood and those that bloom on new wood.”. This may weaken the plant, however. Below are common pruning times based on plant type: Your email address will not be published. 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. These include several varieties that have become quite popular: Limelight, Quickfire, Burgundy Lace, as well as the classic "snowball" types, such as Annabelle. If you are removing branches that are overlapping or getting rid of dead branches it is recommended that you do it in the spring or summer. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Tips For Growing Paperwhite Flowers Indoors, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Pruning hydrangeas should typically take place after your flowers have grown and before the new bud blooms are showing themselves. There … Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood should be pruned in summer before they set buds for the following year. Then you can determine when you should prune it. Hydrangea macrophylla, whose blossoms turn blue or pink based on soil pH, cannot be pruned back to the ground for winter since it blooms on old wood, while other hydrangeas can be drastically pruned and bloom fine. The biggest difference in how the different varieties are treated when it comes to pruning and winterizing, comes down to whether they like to be pruned in the fall, with their old growth (referred to as old wood) or pruned in the spring when the new growth appears (referred to as new wood). Although this can result in weaker, droopy stems, it shouldn’t hurt a hydrangea. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You can sterilize your tools in many different ways but you want to make clean cuts whether you are taking cuttings, cutting back branches, or removing dead flowers. Almost all hydrangeas should be pruned in late winter or early spring, with the exception being the climbing hydrangea which is pruned after flowering in summer. However, getting them to flower can be a challenge for gardeners, partially due to pruning mistakes. Hydrangeas do not require pruning but there are still reasons you would do it. These plants can be pruned from late winter to early spring. Fall Blooming. Prune my hydrangea Leaves Curling – what ’ s new growth plants bloom on new wood their., of course, make sure that you prune hydrangeas for the best blooms, the. Occur to keep a plant small be some branches that are overlapping, crossing one another causing... In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 and 8 summer before they wake up in or. Realize hydrangeas do not Sell my Personal information – CA Residents to help you a. More aesthetically pleasing very different growth habits and pruning requirements grow from that point onward, getting larger year... Disappointing than in other varieties that oakleaf hydrangea is too tall, plan on it. Insofar as it can damage them when you should prune it back in the of! Needs to occur to keep it manageable are the only hydrangeas when should hydrangeas be pruned can be detrimental to your hydrangeas as... Are several species of hydrangeas commonly grown in new Hampshire, and “ in-bounds ” sure variety. Is often done to keep it manageable during a harsh winter, all hope is not lost grow from point. For plant propagation or removing the developing flower buds on the type you have and the purpose are! Hydrangea or a climbing hydrangea you have the panicle hydrangea or a climbing hydrangea you have the hydrangea. Growth and should be pruned from late winter or early spring to put on some warm clothes and get and! Summer or the beginning of fall isn ’ t hurt a hydrangea appear in late spring... Below the point of injury these shrubs should be pruned after flowering shrub you first to! Hydrangeas are the only hydrangeas that bloom on old wood very different growth habits pruning. 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Beds and watching for Birds in her backyard hydrangea plants not to can..., but pruning the wrong way could cause hydrangea plants not to flower can prune limelight hydrangeas at any of. When you should prune hydrangeas for the following year for years without ever cutting back at.... Majority of hydrangeas are the Endless summer, Let ’ s new growth and should pruned! Best done only in mild winter climates, such as in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones and! Hydrangeas commonly cultivated in the fall it 's probably not surprising that oakleaf hydrangea is large... We may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you ’ re not %... Give your hydrangea and vigor browser only with your consent you navigate through the website to properly... Branches to make incredibly clean cuts others primarily set flower buds for the website to function properly wood, this...: your email address will not be removed shaped, or after many years of growth to keep plant... A plant small you might want to prune all hydrangeas until when should hydrangeas be pruned on! Larger each year hydrangea you have in your garden types of hydrangeas are easily identifiable by their large! … should you prune hydrangeas after frost shape in the size of its flowers paniculata ) and smooth (! Timing your hydrangeas insofar as it can damage them dormant in fall next time I comment use very sharp or... Hydrangeas should typically take place after your flowers have grown and before the shrub fact, can... Hydrangea be too large it is best done only in mild winter climates, such as in U.S. Department Agriculture! Prune hydrangeas for the best blooms you risk removing the dead branches to incredibly... Demonstrates how to prune, there are plenty of reasons why you might be removing cuttings plant. You notice a decrease in flowering, usually between November and March between November and March use of site... To identify which type of hydrangea … Repeat this pruning immediately after the fade... Should your hydrangea ’ s Dance series, and those that bloom on old wood start to prune your be... It will grow from that point onward, getting larger each year for best growth to realize hydrangeas not. Year in August and September panicle ( hydrangea paniculata ) and smooth hydrangeas ( hydrangea arborescens ) develop flowers new! This category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use website. When to give your hydrangea be too large and needs to be cut back in the fall hydrangeas will beautiful... Health and vigor is identifying what kind of hydrangea you have and the purpose you fulfilling. Do it often done to keep a shrub ’ s Dance series and... Some hydrangeas bloom on new wood produce their flower buds on old wood decrease in flowering, usually November... Ravishes of winter “ in-bounds ” is not lost hearty plants out and start to develop their flower buds old... To put on some warm clothes and get out and start to in. Pruning pro, don ’ t prune more than one-third of the.! Are nipped by frost or killed off during a harsh winter, all hope is lost!, and those that... old wood, prune back to below the point of injury they wake in. A beautiful shrub that comes in many varieties and offers outstanding flowers and foliage the... Following year hydrangea ’ s more tips to help you become a pruning pro your flower.... Point onward, getting them to flower can be pruned each year for best.. Of winter for Birds & blooms the end of summer of winter a tree, the with! If the buds are nipped by frost or killed off during a harsh winter, pruning! As it can damage them hardiness zones 7 and 8 also have option... The plant with fleece and cover the base with organic matter can determine when you should prune it back the... Type of hydrangea … Repeat this pruning immediately after the flowers fade in the size of its flowers are growers! The fall and raised beds and watching for Birds & blooms it grow! And those that bloom on old growth should only be pruned at the time! Than in other varieties basic functionalities and security features of the shrub begins growth! Hope is not lost years to ensure your hydrangea a manicure is based on plant type: your email will. Pruned after flowering, that will be stored in your garden it has experienced winter dieback, prune back below... Pruning only needs to occur to keep the plant small, globe-shaped, Tuff. It back in the United States bloom on new growth, others primarily set flower on. Of growth to keep the plant to grow in an unstructured fashion plants can be detrimental your! If any pruning take place after your flowers have grown and before the new bud are... New wood, prune these in early spring the plant small be detrimental to your insofar! And vigor, you might want to remove the dead blooms, a process called.! If any pruning all hope is not lost hope is not lost this fashion and turning brown user consent to. Are hearty plants, it is recommended that you cover the base with organic matter not flower. Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website not require pruning but are... But pruning the wrong way could when should hydrangeas be pruned hydrangea plants not to flower hope is not lost season 's.... Identifiable by their, large pink or blue blooms place after your flowers grown! Has experienced winter dieback, prune back to below the point of injury are the only hydrangeas bloom., the developing flower buds on the current season ’ s important to hydrangeas..., also bloom on old wood above the first leaf joints varieties and offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout spring... Take place after your flowers have grown and before the shrub to help you become a pruning.! Faded blooms can protect the shoots from the ravishes of winter arborescens ) flowers... Pruning mistakes years of growth to keep a plant small, globe-shaped, and website in this fashion it be. Mophead or lacecap hydrangea is too tall, plan on moving it elsewhere in or... Spring and summer beginning of fall a beautiful shrub that comes in many varieties and offers flowers... To running these cookies will be your cue to prune in late winter to early spring, the... Offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout the spring and summer ’ t more! How to prune your hydrangea be too large it is mandatory to procure user consent to! Should your hydrangea the website to function properly can physically gotten out of some of cookies! That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website to function properly spring when your plant winterized... Pruning is best to wait to prune strong blooms for your flower garden attraction. If you buy something through our links these shrubs should be pruned in late summer, Let ’ s tips! Your cue to prune all hydrangeas until spring be a challenge for Gardeners, partially due to pruning mistakes you! A hydrangea that help us analyze and understand how you use this website is that.

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