The Phantom Hydrangea is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6-10 ft. tall and wide (180-300) with an upright, spreading habit. It is important to prune the plant annually in late winter or early spring to remove spent flowers and shape the plant. The ideal time to prune is anytime after they finish blooming until early spring, as the blooms turn a beautiful pink color.
When heading back, aim to cut approximately 1/4 inch above a healthy bud. This small detail can make a significant difference in the plant’s appearance. For Hydrangea paniculata, prune in late winter or early spring to remove spent flowers and shape the plant. For Hydrangea quercifolia, prune only spent flowers.
To ensure healthy growth and beauty, it is essential to use high-quality pruning tools, such as sharp bypass pruners and loppers for thicker parts. Identify branch collars and nodes, follow the 3-Cut Method for larger parts, remove dead or diseased parts first, thin out overcrowded growth, step back and assess, and seek professional help if uncertain.
The ideal time to prune is anytime after they finish blooming until early spring, as the blooms turn a beautiful pink color. If pruning is desired, prune in late winter or early spring. Apply a fertilizer specifically for shrubs in the area.
📹 Pruning Phantom Hydrangea
What is the difference between limelight and phantom hydrangea?
The hydrangea cultivars ‘Limelight’ and ‘Pinky Winky’ are two of the most commonly cultivated hydrangeas in gardens. The ‘Limelight’ cultivar is distinguished by its larger size and the prominence of conical, lime green to white florets in its flower heads. Both are suitable for gardens, and if they exemplify the potential of these plants, others like “Little Lime” and “Pinky Winky” will also be worthy of consideration.
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.
Should I deadhead hydrangeas?
Deadhead hydrangeas throughout the blooming season to maintain their beauty and encourage new growth. Stop deadheading in mid to late fall, leaving spent blooms in place for winter interest and preventing removal of buds for next spring. Protect hydrangeas after blooming season by overwintering them in freezing temperatures with a 12-inch layer of mulch or bringing them into the garage or basement for winter months and lightly watering. This will help prevent removal of buds that will become flowers next spring.
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.
Can you cut back a Hydrangea too much?
Deadheading hydrangeas can be beneficial for new growth, but too much pruning can be detrimental. Cutting ‘Annabelle’ varieties all the way back to the ground can result in weak above-ground growth that is not strong enough to support blooms. Instead, cut back the plants to 15 to 18 inches in late winter to encourage new growth from the ground up.
Additionally, don’t add too much fertilizer to the soil, as too much can make blooms too active. To ensure the correct type and amount of fertilizer, test the pH levels of your soil using a test kit.
When restoring floppy hydrangeas, provide support when necessary. Place a stake behind the stem and secure it loosely with twine or stake the stems to the fencing to make it appear less intentional. Staking can help restore hydrangeas to their original glory and help them grow taller.
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.
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 difference between limelight and phantom Hydrangea?
The hydrangea cultivars ‘Limelight’ and ‘Pinky Winky’ are two of the most commonly cultivated hydrangeas in gardens. The ‘Limelight’ cultivar is distinguished by its larger size and the prominence of conical, lime green to white florets in its flower heads. Both are suitable for gardens, and if they exemplify the potential of these plants, others like “Little Lime” and “Pinky Winky” will also be worthy of consideration.
When should phantom hydrangeas be pruned?
Regularly water your plants, especially in spring, to encourage big flower heads. Provide a thick layer of mulch over the root system to keep the soil moist and cool. Prune back hard in early spring to enjoy fresh new flowering growth later in the season. Don’t prune once new growth appears, as it may cut off the blooms for the year. Trim the overall size back by about a third before shrubs start growing in early spring, keeping a rounded shape and making cuts at a 45-degree angle just above a fat leaf bud. This helps maintain the overall size from 5 to 10 feet tall.
How tall does Phantom Hydrangea get?
The “Phantom” shrub is a medium-sized plant, reaching a height of approximately 6 feet and a width of 6 feet. It exhibits a branching growth pattern. The plant produces large flower heads, measuring up to 15 inches, comprising a combination of showy and fertile flowers.
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.
📹 How to prune a Hydrangea paniculata
How to prune a Living Creations® Hydrangea paniculata. Living Creations® Hydrangeas, are easy to maintain, can withstand …
I’m glad I found your article. I see you too are Canadian, I just bought my first hydrangea, which happens to also be a phantom tree. I know your article is a few years old, just wondering how your phantom has done now, these few years later? I appreciate the article, as I’m definitely new to hydrangeas, and even pruning scares me a bit with these trees. Lol. Thank you.