Hydrangeas are sold in North America in five types: bigleaf, mountain, smooth, panicle, and oakleaf. Some form flower buds on old wood, while others form them on new wood once they begin to grow. To prune hydrangeas, follow these steps:
- Identify the species: Big Leaf Hydrangeas are the plants we visualize when we think of them.
- Cut branches back by one-half to one-third, just above a node. Remove any weak or spindly branches. For H. arborescens, minimal pruning promotes growth and bloom.
- Prepare your tools: Step 1: Identify the Branches To Prune: Step 2: Identify the Branches To Prune: Step 3: Performing The Cuts: Step 4: Post-Pruning Care:
Old wood varieties bloom on last year’s growth, with flowers appearing in late spring or early summer. When pruning, make your cut just above a set of large, healthy leaves. If a branch is broken or dead, it can be removed completely.
When pruning hydrangeas, most are carried out in late winter or early spring. However, climbing hydrangeas are pruned after flowering in summer. Cut back last year’s growth back to a healthy framework that’s between 30cm and 60cm high.
For most hydrangeas, late winter and early spring are the best time to prune and remove their old seed heads. Trim back stems with sharp, clean pruners just above a set of leaves. For best results, use rubbing alcohol, heat, or a combination of both.
To get bigger flowers and reduce flopping, cut back these shrubs all the way back and leave a framework of 30cm to 60cm.
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Using my own young panicle hydrangeas recently planted last year — Little Lime Hydrangea, Little Quick Fire Hydrangea, Fire …
Thank you for a straight forward and easy to follow explanation for pruning panicle hydrangeas! I do have a question though– what would you do next Spring with a Little Quick Fire planted this summer that is on the leggy and unruly side? I didn’t really realize until I got it home how ungainly the branches were (I’ve had to stake them up– they aren’t strong at all, even without the weight of flowers). It’s putting out a few flowers and I’m thinking that early next Spring I’ll need to prune it pretty strongly for shape and strength. Am I correct? Or is there something else I should do?
Thank you so much for this article! Very well explained. I planted 5 Little Lime Punch, 3 Firelight Tidbit and 3 Little Quick Fire in early spring. I was wondering whether should I prune them next spring or not given that they are young shrubs. Every article I found explained how to prune mature shrubs but not newly planted ones. I am ready for next year. Thanks!😃
Hello from West Virginia ♥️ Your gardens are very pretty. I just ordered 8 hydrangeas from Proven winners, hopefully will be here this week.. I can’t wait ♥️ They have become my favorite flower/bush, I was into roses for many years, but they can be so picky ! I have, I think around 20 hydrangeas in my yard already.. they are big show stoppers & I adore them . Can’t wait to get to planting, I have felt bad the last few weeks & haven’t been outside much . But my mind is outside with all my beautiful gardens, which need me right now ! Lol 😂 But, I hope in the next few days or week I feel better & can get out of the house & do what I love & thats gardening, flowers & veggies Have a great day & see ya soon
Your articles are always so precise and you make the instruction so easy to follow. Of course you know I”m a big fan of your tone and voice in your vids… Did you miss your calling? lolz Thanks so much for making things much simpler… cutting into your shrubs can be intimidating if you’ve not done it before.
Omg Laura look at your daffodils!!!! They are gorgeous. You just gave me a good taste of spring so thank you! Also thank you for showing us how to prune. I have a question and I always forget how it goes: so in general, with older hydrangea shrubs is it the more you prune the bigger the flowers or is it the other way around? Nobody has ever been able to make that one stick but I’m sure once you tell me, I’ll never forget. My little lime punch…… same story with 2 of them!! I got 2 half dead ones which I’m sure will be just fine abs then I bought 2 that came right away. Cannot wait to see them bloom this year! Have a wonderful evening! 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷