Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old growth, so they should not be pruned in late winter or early spring. Instead, they should be pruned after they flower in June or July. This is to allow the shrub time to produce buds for next year.
To prune oakleaf hydrangeas, start by removing deadwood from around the base using sharp pruning shears and cutting back excessively long shoots above 3 feet tall by one-third. Gather your tools, including sharp pruning shears, gloves, and a clean cloth for wiping, to avoid spreading disease. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring.
The general rule of thumb is to prune these plants after they have finished blooming in mid-to-late summer. To avoid pruning too late in the season, you may remove the flower buds for next year. For aesthetics, use sharp, clean secateurs to cut off withered flowers just above the new flower buds.
Oakleaf hydrangeas prefer full sun and can grow in partial shade, but too much shade can keep them from growing. Pruning for health involves cutting back in early spring, while for aesthetics, wait until after the blooms have shown off.
📹 How to Prune Oak-Leaf Hydrangea – Instructional Video w/ Plant Amnesty
Learn how to prune Oak-Leaf Hydrangea from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty. PlantAmnesty’s …
📹 How And When To Prune Oakleaf Hydrangeas To Get Beautiful Blooms
It’s officially Springtime! How can I prune my Oakleaf Hydrangea to get beautiful blooms? Can I prune in Spring? These are 2 …
Since this article is the one that comes up first when searching this topic, I am worried that it might prompt someone to cut their Oakleaf Hydrangea down or prune in the spring. This is true for some of the more common Hydrangeas but NOT the oakleaf which blooms on old wood. So, only cut away (in the FALL only!) finished blossoms or branches that are diseased or dead or if the plant is too big
Hi! I have an oak leaf that I purchased last spring (small, quart size) and popped it into a large planter, to decide on placement and to bulk it up. The deer didn’t prune it for me like they normally do. 😂 So, it has two kinky looking tall branches with a few new shoots forming. I’m interested in shaping it to make it a tad bushy. Very curious about propagating the trimmings. Any tips? I’ve successfully propagated panicle hydrangeas, any difference with oakleafs? Thanks a bunch!!