How to Prune Hydrangea Bushes
Determine if your Hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood., Remove all old blooms at any time no matter what type of Hydrangea you have., Remember the old wood rule when cutting new blooms for your flower arrangements: you can cut your flowers with...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine if your Hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood.
This is extremely important because if you prune at the wrong time of the year, your Hydrangea bush may not flower again:
If your blooms are pink, blue or purple, you have a mophead or lacecap Hydrangea.
These flowers bloom on old wood (stems that have been on the plant since the previous summer).
Prune this type only in the summer, but before August—before they set their flower buds for next year.
If you Hydrangea flowers are white, they are blooming on new wood (stems that have developed during the current growing season).
This type of Hydrangea produces flower buds on the stems in August, September and October—which will result in flowers the following summer.
If you prune this type of new wood Hydrangea in the fall, winter or spring, the bloom buds will be removed and you won’t have a flowering shrub the following year. -
Step 2: Remove all old blooms at any time no matter what type of Hydrangea you have.
This practice is called “deadheading.” Use sharp pruning shears to clip off the spent flower.
If you deadhead before August on old wood Hydrangeas, it doesn’t matter where you cut on the stem because it won’t jeopardize next year’s blooms. ,,, Never prune them in the spring and summer or you will destroy the flower buds. -
Step 3: Remember the old wood rule when cutting new blooms for your flower arrangements: you can cut your flowers with long stems before August
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Step 4: but after August
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Step 5: cut new blooms just above the first set of large leaves so that you don’t disturb new developing bloom buds.
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Step 6: Prune all dead stems every year no matter what type of Hydrangea you have.
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Step 7: Prune all new wood Hydrangeas in the fall and winter.
Detailed Guide
This is extremely important because if you prune at the wrong time of the year, your Hydrangea bush may not flower again:
If your blooms are pink, blue or purple, you have a mophead or lacecap Hydrangea.
These flowers bloom on old wood (stems that have been on the plant since the previous summer).
Prune this type only in the summer, but before August—before they set their flower buds for next year.
If you Hydrangea flowers are white, they are blooming on new wood (stems that have developed during the current growing season).
This type of Hydrangea produces flower buds on the stems in August, September and October—which will result in flowers the following summer.
If you prune this type of new wood Hydrangea in the fall, winter or spring, the bloom buds will be removed and you won’t have a flowering shrub the following year.
This practice is called “deadheading.” Use sharp pruning shears to clip off the spent flower.
If you deadhead before August on old wood Hydrangeas, it doesn’t matter where you cut on the stem because it won’t jeopardize next year’s blooms. ,,, Never prune them in the spring and summer or you will destroy the flower buds.
About the Author
Edward Parker
A seasoned expert in arts and creative design, Edward Parker combines 5 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Edward's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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