Pruning Your Hydrangeas

How to Prune Hydrangeas Correctly

Hydrangeas are beloved for their stunning blooms, but improper pruning can result in a season without flowers. The key to successful pruning is understanding which type of hydrangea you have, as different varieties require different pruning approaches.

Know Your Hydrangea Type

There are five main types of hydrangeas commonly grown in our region:

• Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla) - Includes mophead and lacecap varieties with pink or blue flowers
• Smooth (Hydrangea arborescens) - White flowers, including 'Annabelle'
• Panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) - Cone-shaped flower clusters, including 'Limelight'
• Oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia) - Oak-shaped leaves with white flower clusters
• Climbing (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) - Vine with white lacecap flowers

When to Prune Different Types

Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Old Wood Bloomers):
Prune immediately after flowering in late summer. These bloom on old wood (last year's growth), so pruning in spring removes flower buds. Newer cultivars like Endless Summer bloom on both old and new wood, offering more flexibility.

Smooth and Panicle Hydrangeas (New Wood Bloomers):
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. These bloom on new wood (current season's growth), so spring pruning doesn't affect flowering.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas:
Minimal pruning needed. Remove dead wood in early spring and shape lightly after flowering if desired.

Climbing Hydrangeas:
Prune after flowering to control size and shape. These require little pruning once established.

Basic Pruning Steps

• Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make smooth cuts
• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first
• Cut back to healthy wood, just above a bud
• Make cuts at a 45-degree angle
• Remove crossing or rubbing branches
• Thin out crowded growth to improve air circulation

Deadheading for Continued Bloom

Remove spent flowers during the growing season to keep plants looking tidy. Cut just below the flower head, above the first set of full leaves. For reblooming varieties, deadheading encourages additional flower production.

Rejuvenation Pruning

For old, overgrown hydrangeas blooming on new wood (smooth and panicle types), you can perform hard rejuvenation pruning in early spring. Cut the entire plant back to 12-18 inches from the ground. The plant will regrow and bloom the same season, though flowers may be slightly smaller the first year.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

• Pruning bigleaf hydrangeas in spring (removes flower buds)
• Cutting back too severely on oakleaf varieties
• Using dull pruning tools that crush stems
• Pruning during hot summer weather
• Removing more than one-third of the plant at once