When To Trim Hydrangeas That Bloom On Freshly Cut Branches?

Hydrangeas in North America are classified into five types: bigleaf, mountain, smooth, panicle, and oakleaf. Some hydrangeas form their flower buds on old wood, meaning next summer’s buds are already formed. When pruning hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, such as smooth hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas, it is important to prune them in late winter or early spring.

Prunching panicle hydrangeas may not be necessary every season, but if they appear overgrown or floppy, pruning can tune them up. For hydrangeas that flower on new wood in midsummer, pruning can be done in late winter or early spring, possibly in autumn in mild climates.

Pranching woody-stemmed hydrangeas is less critical than bigleaf varieties, as long as the plants are not overgrown. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall or early spring, as next year’s flower buds won’t be formed until late spring the same year they bloom. Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so the best time to prune is early spring, before any flower buds have appeared.

Climbing hydrangeas should be pruned after flowering in summer. It is time to prune new wood hydrangeas, especially if the plants live in warm parts of the US (zone 7 and up) and elsewhere. Overall, pruning hydrangeas is essential for maintaining their health and growth.