French Hydrangea Pruning Schedule?

Pruning hydrangeas depends on the type of plant and whether they bloom on old or new growth. Bigleaf hydrangeas should be pruned in late summer or early fall, while other types like smooth hydrangeas should be pruned in spring. Old wood hydrangeas, such as Big-Leaf, Mophead, and French Hydrangeas (H. macrophylla), prefer a trim in summer or early fall.

Most pruning is carried out in late winter or early spring, but climbing hydrangeas are pruned after flowering in summer. French hydrangeas that flower once, such as “Nikko Blue”, bloom on last year’s growth, so pruning just after flowering in summer is recommended. Repeat-blooming French hydrangeas, such as “Blushing Bride”, flower on both old and new growth.

In the South, French hydrangeas should be pruned after blooming, usually in July before the first of August. They can be cut back in winter, spring, or summer to still get some blooms. Mountain hydrangeas should be pruned in the fall, winter, or spring to remove buds before they bloom.

For Bigleaf hydrangeas, only wilted flowers and dead, frozen branches should be pruned in spring. Deadheading hydrangeas in autumn is ideal, but spring pruning is also possible. It is important to cut just enough to ensure a healthy and vibrant crop.

When to cut back French hydrangea?

Hydrangeas are pruned after flowering or early fall to encourage new flower buds on old stems. They are typically pruned at a 45-degree angle right above a bud, where a leaf or leaves are attached to the stem. Bypass pruners are the main tool for pruning hydrangeas, functioning like scissors with one blade sliding past the other for a clean cut. Loppers are optional for thicker branches, similar to bypass pruners but with longer handles and larger blades. Pruning shears are optional for very thin stems or spent flowers.

Keeping pruning tools clean and sharp is important for the health of the plants and your safety. After each use, wipe down the blades with a damp cloth and apply a few drops of oil to prevent rust. Wipe off any excess oil before storing your tools.

Some hydrangea varieties, like panicle and compact reblooming hydrangeas, don’t require pruning and may benefit from keeping the dried flower heads over winter for added visual interest. Older and larger varieties benefit from pruning. Skipping pruning won’t necessarily harm your hydrangeas in the short term, as they may still flower and some gardeners prefer the natural, unpruned look.

Do French hydrangeas bloom on old wood?

To ensure your hydrangea is blooming, check for buds in the fall and wait for new growth in the spring. If your shrub isn’t blooming, leave it alone for a few years to address environmental factors that may affect bloom production. If this doesn’t work, consider other issues like watering, sun, or soil conditions. If you haven’t added a hydrangea to your landscape yet, visit Ted Lare for a variety of options suitable for Iowa’s climate and to help solve any blooming issues. Don’t be discouraged if your hydrangea isn’t blooming, as Ted Lare can help you solve any blooming issues.

Do hydrangeas need to be cut back for winter?

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as panicle hydrangea, is a plant with conical-shaped flower heads that can be pruned back to just above a fat bud in fall, late winter, or spring. These plants produce buds in late summer to early fall, which will form next year’s flowers. To maintain winter interest in your landscape, it is recommended to wait until late winter or spring. Popular panicle hydrangeas include Quick Fire®, Limelight, and First Editions® Berry White®.

Should hydrangeas be cut all the way back in the winter?

To achieve larger flowers in hydrangeas, cut them all the way back in late winter or early spring. Smooth hydrangeas produce larger blooms if pruned hard, but some gardeners prefer smaller blooms on sturdier stems. To reduce flopping, cut stems to 18-24 inches to provide a sturdy framework to support new growth. This helps prevent branches from falling over under the weight of blooms, especially after overhead irrigation or good rain.

What is the mistake for pruning hydrangeas?

Pruning hydrangeas is best done in late winter and early spring, making it a good weekend job during March. Pruning after winter frosts protects the plant from winter injury. Climbing hydrangeas should be left until early summer, as they produce flowers on old wood. Pruning too early may remove new buds before they bloom. Tom’s Guide offers expert editors to keep you informed and prepared for the prime growing season by pruning your hydrangeas at the right time.

What is the best month to prune hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are typically pruned in late winter or early spring, with climbing hydrangeas being pruned after flowering in summer. Hydrangeas bloom from mid- to late summer, while mophead and lacecap hydrangeas bloom satisfactorily with little attention. Annual pruning encourages new growth and better flowering display. Other species, including climbing hydrangeas, benefit from a trim. Timing is usually late winter/early spring, but sometimes late summer. Pruning hydrangeas can be easy to moderate.

Can I prune hydrangeas in summer?

To rejuvenate a hydrangea, it is recommended that up to one-third of the older stems be removed each summer. Additionally, pruning should be conducted before late July to allow for the development of buds. The plant typically attains its original size, thereby ensuring its continued health and growth.

Do French hydrangeas like sun or shade?

French hydrangeas are often listed as shade-loving plants, but they actually need direct sunlight for optimal blooming. They need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, especially in the South, as direct sun can cause increased water loss from the leaves. Plants in late afternoon sun will appear wilted and require water, but if there is enough water, they will recover. If hydrangeas have not bloomed while planted under trees, consider limbing them or moving them to a sunnier location in the fall.

When bringing a hydrangea home, dig a hole at least twice the size of the pot, as smaller plants will grow faster and suffer less transplant shock. Most hydrangeas in nursery pots will have pink blooms due to the lack of aluminum in the potting soil, and their color can change depending on the pH of the soil.

What happens if you don’t cut back hydrangeas?

Regular pruning of hydrangeas is crucial for maintaining their shape and promoting new growth, resulting in larger, healthier flowers. Deadheading hydrangeas, which involves removing spent flowers from the stem, can also help encourage better blooming later on. However, not all hydrangeas can benefit from this method, as it may result in a tangled mass of woody stems and smaller, less showy flowers.

How to care for a French hydrangea?

When purchasing French hydrangeas, look for a full plant with equal branching on all sides, fat buds or flower heads covering stems ready to open, and bright green leaves. French hydrangeas thrive in moist, well-drained soil, morning sun, and light afternoon shade. Water them immediately upon arrival and adjust the planting placement by spacing them three to four feet apart. Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the pot but at the same depth, remove the plant, and fill it with a mixture of half the original soil and half compost.

Mulch and water regularly to establish the plant. If purchasing a repeat bloomer, water, feed, and remove spent blossoms regularly to encourage new flowers. Overwintering is minimal, but deadheading flowers and using mulch to protect the roots during colder months is recommended. French hydrangeas are susceptible to fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, including leaf spots, powdery mildew, Botrytis blight, bacterial wilt, aphids, and deer.

Which hydrangeas should not be cut back?

Oakleaf hydrangeas, also known as Hydrangea quercifolia, are native hydrangeas with cone-shaped white blooms that turn a beautiful russet shade in late summer. They bloom on old wood, so they should not be pruned until after flowering. To know when to prune hydrangeas, first learn the variety of hydrangeas in your garden. The Cityline ‘Rio’ Hydrangea is a bigleaf hydrangea that can be pruned when the blooms turn from colorful to dull browns.