To figure out when to prune hydrangeas, you first need to figure out what kind of hydrangeas you have. There are two kinds of hydrangeas. The first produces flower buds on "old wood" and the second produces buds on the "new wood". These two types of hydrangeas are pruned very differently. Hydrangeas that bud on "old wood", bloom on stems that have been on the plant since the previous summer. Hydrangeas that bud on "new wood" are stems that grow in the current season.
WHEN TO PRUNE HYDRANGEAS - OLD WOOD BLOOMERS
These are the type of Hydrangeas that are found in most gardens. They produce blooms on the old wood. Examples of these hydrangeas are the Oakleaf, Lace Cap, Mophead and Big Leaf. These hydrangeas should be planted in an area that gives them plenty of room to grow where pruning would not be necessary. However, if a limb is damaged or dies, it should be removed. After plants are 5 years or older, this help revitalize the plant and helps reduce the hydrangea's size.
"Old wood" hydrangeas can be pruned only after they bloom in the summer. They start developing their buds for the next year in August and September. DO NOT PRUNE IN THE FALL. You will not get blooms the following year. You can deadhead the bloom after fall but make sure you cut very short. Just remember buds for blooms on old wood. The more you cut the less blooms you will have the next season.
WHEN TO PRUNE HYDRANGEAS - NEW WOOD BLOOMERS
These are the type of Hydrangeas that bloom on this season's wood. New wood bloomers are very forgiving. They seem to bloom no matter how you care or treat them. They can be pruned to the ground in the Fall and they will pop up in the spring with beautiful blooms. Drastic pruning can take a toll on these plant in the long run. Examples of these hydrangeas are Annabelle and PeeGee hydrangea. Always remove weak, crossing and dead stems.
The Exception
My all time favorite hydrangea, "Endless Summer" which produce buds on old and new wood. It blooms in early spring and then blooms again on the new wood. Endless Summer produces flowers all summer long. They should be pruned after the final bloom in the fall. Pruning helps control the shape and size of the hydrangea.
[caption id="attachment_255" align="alignnone" width="450"] Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' blooms both on old wood and new wood and therefore is able to produce blooms all summer long.[/caption]
More Resources
Doing some pruning? Make sure you have a clean, sharp pair of pruners. I love the Felco@ Pruner.
Ready to buy some hydrangeas? One of my favorite local nurseries is Abernethy & Spencer in Lincoln. They have an incredible selection, fairly priced
This guy should probably get a good hair cut first. But he provides a very simple and video guide to pruning hydrangeas.
Visit my blog again soon for more tips and advice about gardening in Loudoun County.
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