How To Prune Hydrangeas In A Pot?

Pruning hydrangeas is a simple process that can be done in spring or early spring, depending on the type of plant. There are three techniques to prune hydrangeas: trimming back, identifying the type, and choosing the right hydrangea. The best way to care for hydrangeas depends on the type you have, as it contains over 35 species.

To prune hydrangeas, start by identifying the species and knowing how to trim branches back by one-half to one-third, just above a node. Remove any weak or spindly branches. For H. arborescens, minimal pruning promotes large vigorous shrubs with numerous, smaller flower heads. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas are popular types, and pruning is essential in early spring.

Climbing hydrangeas should be pruned immediately after flowering in summer, while repeat blooming hydrangeas should only be pruned if they have faded blooms or dead and diseased branches. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends pruning hydrangeas in late winter or early spring, usually February or March in most of the UK. Prune about a third of the stems harder down the stem for good foliage and the rest for big flowers in summer.

Before pruning, ensure that pruners or loppers are clean and sharp. Cut at a 45-degree angle, just above a node (bud), and remove any thin, weak stems around the base of the plant.