Can’t decide when and how to prune hydrangeas? You’ll find all you need to know in this post, as we might know that pruning your hydrangeas is important for keeping them down to size and optimizing their bloom count, as well as helping them with overwintering.
Different types of hydrangea bushes need to be pruned at different types and different amounts, some in the fall and some in the spring. So when to cut back hydrangeas? You’ll find out in just a few seconds!
You're reading: How to Prune Hydrangeas in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter: Cutting Back Guide
The reason why people get confused with pruning is the difference between old wood and new wood bloomers, which we’ll cover in this article. We’ll also cover when and how to prune hydrangeas. Stay tuned and we’ll show you the ropes!
How Do I Determine if My Hydrangea Blooms are on Old Wood or New Wood?
Whether a hydrangea bush blooms on old or new wood depends on the species.
| Species | Type |
| Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf) | Old-wood |
| Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle) | New-wood |
| Hydrangea quercifola (Oakleaf) | Old-wood |
| Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth) | New-wood |
| Hydrangea serrata (Mountain) | Old-wood |
| Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing) | Old-wood |
Old-wood and new-wood varieties have different pruning times of the year.
- For old-wood varieties, you should prune immediately after the flowers have expired. This way, the bush can work on growth that will be old wood by the time the next season comes around.
- For new-wood varieties, do your pruning in late winter or early spring. This way, the plant will be able to add lots of new growth.
Read more: Different Types of Hydrangea Bushes: Discover Amazing Types For Sun & Shade
When to Cut Back Hydrangeas
Below is a chart containing the pruning time for each of the 6 cultivated species.
| Species | Time of Year for Pruning |
| Bigleaf (macrophylla) | Late summer, after flowering |
| Oakleaf (quercifolia) | Late summer, after flowering |
| Panicle (paniculata) | Late winter / early spring |
| Smooth (arborescens) | Late winter / early spring |
| Mountain (serrata) | Late summer, after flowering |
| Climbing (petiolaris) | Late summer, after flowering |
Read more : Fiddle Leaf Fig Pruning For Beginners in 6 Easy Steps
If you don’t prune your hydrangeas in time, it’s best to wait until the correct time next year.
If you prune away growth from the previous year in the spring on an old-wood variety, you are cutting away the parts of the plant that blooms would have grown on in the coming year.
For new-wood varieties, you can prune anytime during the season after flowers have begun blooming – if you find branches that do not produce any blooms, they may be dead.
Where to Cut Hydrangeas
It’s important to cut the stems at the correct place. Always use pruning shears – never break stems by hand!
- Prune away dead flowers by placing the cut just above the newest set of buds.
- Prune away frost damage by cutting just above the first undamaged leaves.
- Remove all dead and weak stems by cutting them close to the ground.
- Cut the hydrangea bush in the shape that you want.
Check the pruning amounts and season for your specific species of hydrangeas. Some varieties require more pruning than others and some require almost none at all.
Read More: Different Types of Hydrangea Bushes: Discover Amazing Types For Sun & Shade
Hydrangea Spring Care & Summer Care
- Early spring is the time to do your regular pruning on new-wood varieties.
- Summer is the time to prune away dead stems by cutting them off close to the ground. Removing these stems will beautify the plant and also stop the draining of nutrients to them.
- Shaping your hydrangea bushes should be done in summer. Some varieties grow fairly large, up to 8 feet tall in some cases. If you don’t want a towering bush then you need to keep it in check every summer. It’s not bad for a hydrangea’s health to leave it without pruning, but they are very prolific growers.
Pruning Hydrangeas in the Fall
- Deadheading is best done during the summer and fall. Remove dead flowers by cutting just below the flower down to the next bud.
- Old-wood varieties form their blooms for the next year in late summer and early fall, so do not prune these off!
- You can also check for and remove dead stems in the fall.
- Most hydrangeas don’t need to be pruned much in the fall. In fact, most varieties will bloom prolifically if you spare the shears in the fall!
Hydrangea Care in Winter
- Pruning is not necessary during the winter, since your hydrangeas are under stress from the cold weather and should not be disturbed. You also don’t have to cut back your hydrangeas for winter ahead of time, but they may take frost damage which can be pruned in the spring.
- In colder regions, you can winterize your hydrangeas by building a cage from stakes and chicken wire and filling it with leaves. Potted plants can be brought indoors.
- Deadheading during the fall is important, since snow can accumulate on dead flowers, which weighs them down and puts stress on the stems.
Preparation Before Cutting Back Hydrangea
- Sterilizing your pruning shears beforehand is a great idea, since it prevents diseases from being spread.
- Check the pruning requirements of your species of hydrangea to make sure you aren’t cutting the flower buds off.
- Take a good look at your bush beforehand to make sure you cut it into the right shape.
How and When to Deadhead Hydrangeas
Deadheading should be done immediately after the flowers are expired, especially on old-wood varieties. Keep an eye on your flowers as they develop through the blooming season, and remove the dead ones as they die off.
Read more : Different Types of Hydrangea Bushes: Discover Amazing Types For Sun & Shade
Old-wood hydrangeas develop flower buds in the late summer and early fall in order to bloom the following year, so if you wait too long to deadhead then you may be cutting these blooms off. Stop deadheading in late fall, since you don’t want to accidentally remove any blooms for next year.
Make the cut beneath the old flower, just above the first set of leaves.
What Happens If You Don’t Prune Hydrangeas
Not pruning your hydrangeas will not cause them any harm. However, some varieties are prolific growers and will take over an entire space if not kept in check. Some varieties grow up to 8 feet tall and wide, and you may not want them to grow this big.
Not removing dead stems will make the plant unsightly, and it will also drain the plant’s resources unnecessarily.
Not deadheading the bushes will not harm them either, but removing spent flowers allows the plant to devote all of its energy towards preparing its stems and roots for the winter ahead.
It’s important to know how and when to prune a hydrangea tree. Trimming is important, but knowing when not to trim is also of importance.
When and How to Prune Hydrangeas: Recap
In this article, we covered when and how to prune hydrangeas. Cutting back your shrubs can be an important part of the care of your plants, and the season you do your pruning in, be it spring, summer, or fall, is also important. Preparation for overwintering in conjunction with pruning hydrangeas will give you healthier bushes. Hydrangea flowers bloom better when growth is controlled, and the plants also look nicer. I wish you the best with your gardening!
Source: https://thelittle.garden
Category: Houseplants