If Hydrangeas Are Pruned In The Fall, Will They Regrowth?

Old wood hydrangeas, such as mophead or lacecap hydrangeas, should not be cut back in the fall or winter as this will remove the buds that will produce next year’s flower buds. Pruning hydrangeas in the fall can be a serious mistake, as it may impact further growth significantly. The flower buds formed on old wood hydrangeas are not susceptible to being cut down.

However, new wood hydrangeas can be safely pruned in late fall or early spring after they have finished blooming. This allows them to grow new branches that will produce next year’s flower buds. Cutting back wood in the fall equals cutting off the flower buds. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be cut to ground level once flowering ceases in autumn, or you can leave flowers on the shrub and cut it back by one-third in late winter. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring.

A healthy plant can generally come back just fine from a hard prune, as long as it is not often. If this is its first one in a long time, and it has been pruning for up to 5 years, it is best to leave it alone and let the new growth appear on the dead wood. Most hydrangeas don’t need to be pruned in the fall whether or not they bloom on old or new wood. If you accidentally cut down your hydrangea, don’t panic; it may still be able to grow back from the roots. Water the plant well and wait to see if it grows back.