How to trim hydrangeas..?

FIRST, it's important to know that mophead hydrangeas do not have to be pruned back - ever - unless they are very old. Removing dead stems is the only pruning that must be done for the health of the plant, and these can be removed at any time. Dead blooms can also be removed at any time.





But if your hydrangea is getting much too large (or old), and you simply must prune it, use one of the following methods.





Use Method One if you have mophead or lacecap hydrangeas (these are the only type hydrangeas that are usually blue or pink) or if you have Oakleaf hydrangeas (leaves shaped like large oak leaves, white blooms).





Use Method Two if you have paniculatas (PeeGees) or 'Annabelle' (arborescens). Both PeeGee and 'Annabelle' bloom white.





If you do not KNOW what kind of hydrangea you have, you will be safe if you just use Method One.





Method I is for hydrangea types that bloom on OLD WOOD. (Stems are called "old wood" if they have been on the hydrangea since the summer before the current season. "New wood" are stems that developed on the plant during the current season) This means that flower buds are formed on the stems of hydrangeas around August, September or October for the following summer's blooms. If those stems are removed (pruned) in the fall, winter, or spring, the bloom buds will be removed, and there may be little or no bloom the following June/July.





Method II is for H. arborescens (Annabelle types) and H. paniculata (PeeGee types) hydrangeas. These types of hydrangeas bloom on new wood (new stems). It is a joy to grow these type hydrangeas because they are determined to bloom every single year, no matter how they are treated. The only time they cannot be pruned is in the spring ('Annabelle') or in the summer (PG) when they are preparing to bloom.





Many people grow hedges of Annabelle and cut them within a few inches of the ground each fall so they will not be an eyesore during the winter. They will still bloom beautifully in the spring/summer, however this drastic pruning may cause the stems to come back weaker, and they may need staking. Go to the page on 'Annabelle' for a more detailed description of the pros and cons of pruning this hydrangea to the ground.





Paniculatas (PG/Limelight types) can be pruned in the fall, winter, or spring. However, it is not necessary to prune them every year. It is suggested that one trim out crossing branches and those that do not contribute to an attractive form whenever necessry. If one is attempting to grow a paniculata in a tree form, the developing trunk and main branches should not be removed completely.

How to trim hydrangeas..?
ONLY prune hydrangeas after they bloom, such as late summer.
Reply:This is best done during the winter months while the plant is in dormancy. Prune back the small limbs/branches to about 12"-24" above the ground, maintaining an overall symmetrical look.


If you wait until the plant is growing, you will most likely interfere with number of blooms that you would otherwise get to enjoy during the summer months.