How to Prune Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas can be grown in a variety of climates and are easy to maintain. Their large, brightly colored flowers will make a big impact on your garden. This article will answer all your questions regarding hydrangea pruning. These tips can help you make the most beautiful flowering shrubs, the hydrangea.

Hydrangea Prune Tool

Before you begin, make sure that you have the right tools. You'll need:

• Protect your hands with gloves
• Sharp bypass pruners are recommended for branches of up to 3/8 inch thickness (note: avoid anvil pruners which can quickly dull).
• Sharp bypass loppers for branches up 2 inches in thickness
• Sharp pull-stroke pruning tool for branches over 2 inches in height

When to prune hydrangeas?

The timing of your hydrangeas' bloom depends on whether they are in peak or late season.

The spring blooming indicates that the flowers bloom in old wood. These hydrangeas have the tendency to start forming next year's buds in late spring or early fall. To prevent accidentally removing these buds, you should prune them in late summer, right as the flowers begin to fade.

Summer blooming in late summer suggests that the flowers are blooming on new wood. The shrubs grow and produce flowers in the same season. This causes the flowers to get delayed. It is best to prune late in the winter so that new buds don't appear until spring.

Remember that hydrangeas are not subject to annual pruning. Many varieties are able to live long, happy lives without the need for annual pruning. You should only snip your shrubs when you have a purpose in mind.

Why do we prune hydrangeas?

You can reduce the likelihood of hydrangeas becoming too big.

• Leggy growth. Hydrangeas that are bare at their bottom can be pruned to promote a fuller-looking shrub.
• Insufficient flowers can lead to disappointment. You can increase the size and quantity of your flowers by using the correct pruning technique.
• Overgrown growth: Are your hydrangeas becoming too tall? You might want to prune your hydrangeas if this is the year.

Pruning Techniques

The type of hydrangea you have, and your goals for pruning them, will dictate the best pruning technique.

If you have hydrangeas that bloom on old wood:

• Spent off blossoms can be taken off just below the flower head.
• At the soil line, remove any loose or straggly canes.
• Reduce a few of the oldest branches at the soil line to increase the vigor and strength of your hydrangeas as you age.
• To stop the shrub from getting too tall, trim the canes closest to the soil line

If you have late-blooming hydrangeas, they will flower on new wood:

• Reduce the stems to the soil line in spring for larger blooms.
• Alternately, cut the stems at the height of 18 to 24 inches to create a sturdy framework. Although the blooms will be smaller than you would like, this will reduce flopping.
• When flower buds begin to open in the spring, it is best not to prune.