Must Limelight Hydrangeas Be Trimmed?

Limelight hydrangeas are woody plants that bloom in the spring and produce large, colorful flowers. They are a beautiful addition to any yard or landscape, but proper pruning is crucial for their health. The best time to prune them is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, as it helps promote a stronger, healthier plant and encourages more bountiful blooms.

Limelight hydrangeas bloom on new wood, meaning they produce more flowers. To ensure optimal health, it is safe to prune as much as one-third off of the hydrangea that blooms on new wood. For example, if your hydrangea is six feet tall, it is safe to prune as much as two feet off the top and sides.

Prune your limelight hydrangeas in late winter or early spring, as they are quite hardy and require little maintenance. The harder you prune, the thicker the new branches and the bigger the flower clusters. Prune in late winter/early spring when the plant is dormant, and you can safely prune them back late this fall or early next spring to reduce the size of the plant while still protecting next year’s blooms.

Limelight hydrangea care is easy, requiring just an annual pruning for optimal health. To discover when to prune limelight hydrangeas, watch this video and learn how to get the best bloom yield.