Trim a Hydrangea bush?

I have a rather large Hydrangea bush and each summer it grows larger but still has the dead "sticks" visible. Is it possible to trim the bush down to the ground (and will it grow as big)? Someone told me that if I trim the stalks they could have rain enter them and rot. Is that true? Can you please advise me on Hydrangeas?.. Thank you!!

Trim a Hydrangea bush?
you do not stat where this plant is in relation to to your home. This can make a significant difference. In the early winter (you can do it even now) remove any dead growth you can see. Throughout the seasons remove any dead growth you see.


Most shubs only require a small pruning shear device. Other landscape plants require larger, more peoplepower, devices. Regardless of the size or purpose, equip yourself.


My boss practically cut-off a finger trying to prune RedTwigs using a hedge sheerer versus a pruner.


If the plant is away from the home, in it's normal environ, then prune two time a year. Prune the truly wild stalks each late summer, and the dead in the Spring (or whenever regardless of season you see dead). Fert the plant both during the flowering and about two weeks into October. Between the fert, pruning, and care you will have a healthy plant for years.


Some people play with Hydrangea. You can too. The color of the blooms is directly related to the acidity of the soil. White become whiter with the intoduction of BoneMeal or Lime. You can make the color Red/Purple with the intro of Acid (Miricle Gro) .


The weekend after Thanksgiving is the time to bring the plant to it's knees. Yes, you can take it to about six inches above ground level. It will grow back over the next three seasons/years. It will love you for the action as it is more sturdy. Good Luck.
Reply:You are supposed to trim out some old 'finished' stems on Hydrangeas every year to rejuvenate the shrub, so don't worry if you have to do this. I've never heard the one about the rain in the stalks, it must have been in Noah's time.





They do flower on the mature stems so only cut the newer stems down when they have had their flowers to two fat buds further down their stems.
Reply:I wouldn't trim it down to the ground, but you can trim it back. HOWEVER wait till it starts showing leaves (which is this time of the year) and then trim it back to avoid snipping away all the leaf buds. The biggest mistake someone can make is trimming it back so much that the thing stays a bundle of sticks and doesn't bloom at all that year.
Reply:It is ok to trim off old wood but hydrangeas only bloom on mature sticks so it maybe a while till they bloom again. Remember to always do a little and then step back. Sometimes we get over zealous and they don't look so good.
Reply:Trim the canes below the last years bloom.


If leaves are budded trim above that.


Trim the dead sticks out before new growth begins. They break easily by hand so you recognize the dead ones.


I cut mine clear back to 6 inches tall because I want to move mine. Its too big for the spot its now in. I may not have any blooms this year but doubt it will rot. I saw green in the canes and that was this years new canes.


Some divide the plants to keep them downsized. Start a branch in starting soil and begin a new bush if that one is too large. Dividing the bush may be your solution. Just place the shovel in heart of bush early before growth begins and break apart. Move shovel around bush to lift out the section you want to remove. That is how I got my start. Someone wanted to downsize their bush.