In Pennsylvania, When Should Hydrangeas Be Pruned?

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) blooms on new wood, meaning they bloom on the current season’s growth. They can be cut to the ground in late winter or early spring, but not in late spring or summer, as this will cut off the buds before they open. The best time to prune hydrangeas in Pennsylvania is typically in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, allowing for the removal of unwanted branches.

If your hydrangea has outgrown its space and needs to be pruned, you can prune away select branches to curtail its size. Prune away branches all the way to ground level or to a main stem, but avoid cutting them in stages. To keep your hydrangeas healthy and maintain a stunning display, it is recommended to choose early spring after they have begun to show new leaf buds.

Pruding hydrangea stems at the wrong time of year can lead to overly dense growth and winter-killed wood. Most experts recommend pruning this type of hydrangea right after bloom (mid July to early August in our climate). Spring-blooming varieties like Bigleaf and Oakleaf should be pruned in summer after they’ve finished blooming.

To avoid pruning this type of hydrangea between August and June of the following year, choose July as the only good time to prune these plants. Smooth hydrangeas can be pruned back to the ground in late winter or early spring, while those that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring. Hydrangeas with large blue or pink flowers should be pruned in late spring, with each brown stem cut to just above the top-most set of living buds.

When to fertilize hydrangeas in PA?

Hydrangeas, including bigleaf, panicle, smooth, oakleaf, and mountain varieties, should be fertilized at least once a season in late winter or early spring. Reblooming varieties, such as bigleaf, mountain, and smooth hydrangeas, should be reapplied in mid-summer to conserve energy. For overwintered hydrangeas in containers, a single spring application of slow-release fertilizer is sufficient. Start fertilizing the year after planting to ensure healthy growth.

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.

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.

How to cut back an overgrown hydrangea?

The speaker is indicating that they are not paying sufficient attention and are therefore removing large branches, with the intention of utilising the remaining flowers.

Should hydrangeas 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®.

Can hydrangeas be cut back hard?

Hydrangeas, including Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea aspera, Hydrangea serrata, and Hydrangea quercifolia, can be lightly pruned by cutting back old flower heads to a pair of buds below. Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea aborescens can be harder pruned. If you’re unsure which type of hydrangea you have, deadhead it and observe its growth. If it produces flowers on this year’s growth, prune it harder next year. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) flower on previous year’s growth, so pruning them after flowering is not recommended.

The cork-like structure of hydrangea stems makes it best to leave cutting back until spring, as they hold enough moisture during winter to freeze in frosty weather. Pruning them in autumn after flowering can freeze the buds, killing the stems and their buds. Leaving old flowers on the plant over winter helps protect the stems and their new buds. Once sap starts to rise in spring, buds will open, and many should carry blooms the following year.

When should I cut the heads off hydrangeas?

Pruning hydrangeas is typically done in late winter or spring, except for climbing hydrangeas which are pruned in summer. Different types of hydrangea require different pruning techniques. To identify the type of hydrangea, wait for its summer flowering and prune it the following year. If unsure, leave it unpruned for a year. The following list shows the most common types of hydrangea found in gardens:

Should hydrangeas be cut all the way back?

To prune hydrangeas, start in early spring by cutting back last year’s growth to a healthy framework between 30cm and 60cm high. Prune to just above a pair of healthy buds on each stem, and cut back to the lowest healthy buds for big flowers or less hard for a natural look or taller plant. Climbing hydrangeas like Hydrangea anomola subsp. petiolaris and Hydrangea seemannii should not be pruned until after flowering.

What happens if I forget to prune my hydrangea?

If you forget to prune your hydrangeas for a year, they may grow too big, tangled, or have smaller, less showy flowers. To restore their beautiful shape, you can use proper pruning techniques, such as using sharp secateurs. Felco secateurs are a good choice, and even good secateurs can become blunt after a season, so sharpening them with a sharpening stone can help maintain their strength. Remember to use a good pair of secateurs for optimal results.

When to trim hydrangeas in Pennsylvania?

H. paniculata Bulk, a hydrangea plant, can reach up to 8 feet in spread and height. It can be pruned in February or early March as new growth produces flowers. Some gardeners may prefer the tried and true, such as Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle”, native to the eastern part of the United States. Annabelle, named after the town’s “belle”, can grow up to 8 to 12 inches across and remain showy for several weeks. The plant can grow in a mounding form to about five feet in height and spread.

If the dried flower heads are not desired for winter interest, H. arborescens Annabelle can be pruned to the ground after dormancy sets in or in late winter. The plant can grow in various light conditions but tends to wilt down when soil conditions turn dry, which can be prevented by good mulching.

Should I cut my hydrangea down to the ground?

To rejuvenate a hydrangea plant, it is recommended that the stems be cut close to the ground, as the bloom buds are produced on the older wood. It is recommended that up to one-third of the older stems be removed each summer. This practice will result in a reduction of the floral display in the spring and summer months.