This shrub is easily recognized by its globes or domes of white flowers (there are now a few pink-blooming cultivars as well) which bloom at the tip of the stems starting in the middle of summer. In cool coastal regions, bigleaf … It’s best to wait until new growth emerges in the early spring to be sure that you are only removing dead or weakened parts and not removing live stems with flower buds. Life is so much easier that way. And even if you don’t deadhead, note that the faded flowers will fall off all on their own when the plant begins to grow in the spring. When to prune these woody-stemmed hydrangeas is not critical as bigleaf varieties, as long as you avoid pruning when the flower buds are opening. “Endless Summer,” known for cold hardiness as well as repeat bloom, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Only after you remove the mulch and the plant begins to grow should you consider pruning… and even then, remove only dead wood! Wait any longer, and you risk removing the developing flower buds. Although this will encourage vegetative growth at the expense of flowers, it is better for the health of the plant and its aesthetic appearance to remove win… The plant can still bloom on new wood. This hydrangea needs little pruning, except to remove any dead or damaged branches, including those damaged by winter cold. Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, which means that either a cold winter like we had this year, or a fall, winter or early-spring pruning will eliminate their flower buds. Pruning bigleaf hydrangeas. Most bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) bloom from buds set the previous fall. This hydrangea suffers not only from winter cold, but also spring frosts. Hydrangeas that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. Old flowers from the previous year … Pay attention to timing your hydrangeas will produce beautiful blooms for years to come! If you never prune them at all, or simply limit your pruning to deadheading (removing the faded flowers), they’ll still bloom well. Depending on when how they bloom, will help decide when to prune correctly. Make pruning cuts … Changing Blue Hydrangeas Pink and Vice Versa . if you prune your hydrangea at the wrong time of year, you could cut into next season's blooms. However, the wood won’t yet be fully developed and the stems can break under the weight of the blooms. And I don’t offer winter protection, either, because I only grown varieties adapted to my conditions. Prune bigleaf hydrangea when the flowers begin to fade. The answer is simple: I don’t prune them at all. Pruning Hydrangeas that Bloom on New Wood Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring. Unless you are growing them for their tree or high shrub form, many people prune their Panicle Hydrangeas/Hydrangea paniculata … Pruning at the wrong time could be the culprit (if pruning to control size is needed, do so in August), but typically winter/early spring weather is to blame. Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia), zone 5. Pruning hydrangeas can help them retain a pretty shape and produce beautiful blooms year after year. When to prune hydrangeas. If you want lots of flowers, prune little or not at all. Pruning bigleaf hydrangea in fall will remove next year’s flower buds causing irregular flowering the following year. If that happens, it is probably one of three reasons. Psst—check out the biggest blooms for your flower garden. Hydrangea Pruning Tips. NOTE: Pruning Panicle Hydrangeas/Hydrangea paniculata. Sometimes it is necessary to prune plants after a harsh winter to remove damaged foliage. Here’s more tips to help you become a pruning pro. The timing of pruning is very important on this plant. They also can be heavily cut back in the fall. Note that pruning is never obligatory for these species. Flower buds will begin forming in late summer for the following season, so avoid pruning after August 1. Then you can determine when you should prune it. Wait to prune your bigleaf hydrangeas until new growth appears in the spring. Therefore they can be pruned in late fall, after they finish blooming, or in early spring. In locations where snow cover is abundant and reliable, it may bloom well in zone 4 all on its own, but otherwise, it’s best to consider winter protection. Includes Nikko Blue, Pink Elf, Nantucket and Glowing Embers. If you prune it down to 6 inches/15 cm from the ground, by late summer you’ll get a compact plant about 3 to 4 feet (about 1 m) with extra-large panicles, although only a few of them. This hydrangea is a near twin of the bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), but with thinner stems and smaller leaves. Others bloom on new growth and should be pruned before they wake … Hydrangea Pruning for the Laidback Gardener. A lot of the information above smacks of hard work, so you might wonder what I do myself, as a laidback gardener, when it comes to pruning hydrangeas. When pruning BigLeaf, Mopehead, or Florist hydrangeas, the cuts should be made at the same measurements, but should shy away from any buds as these overwinter and will be the buds and flowers of the spring. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Even deadheading can harm the delicate flower buds that form just below the old flower head, so if you do prune after the flowers fade, make sure to prune just above a pair of healthy buds. These plants can be pruned from late winter to early spring. Timing is everything! You hear all sorts of advice: spring, fall, after they bloom, not at all, etc. It’s best to try it in partial shade in rich, deep soil and in a sheltered spot protected from winter winds. They bloom on old wood, so pruning is done in summer before next years flowers start to set. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) set flower buds on old wood, which develop in late summer and fall; therefore, pruning should be done immediately after flowering. A good compromise is cut it back annually back to about 3 feet (1 m) (still in early spring). Sometimes bigleaf hydrangeas become overgrown and need to be trimmed. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 2.5 m (8 ft) broad with large heads of pink or blue flowers in summer and autumn. The resulting stems will be thicker and the flower clusters smaller, giving a stronger plant not so prone to flopping. Therefore, if you are going prune them, try to finish as soon as possible after they are done blooming—by August 1 at the latest. That means the plant actually forms the buds for the following year’s flowers in late summer to early fall. The answer is simple: I don’t prune them at all. Shrubs like hydrangeas flower from mid to late summer on the previous year's growth. However, this gives very large flower heads that tend to flop. Also called French hydrangea, mophead hydrangea (those with rounded flower clusters) or lacecap hydrangea (those with dome-shaped flower clusters), this hydrangea is renowned for flowers that can be blue in acid soils and pink in alkaline ones. Includes Endless Summer, Blushing Bride and Twist N Shout. That means no blooms next summer. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood include dwarf varieties of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea ... 'Incrediball' and 'Bobo' hydrangea pruning in … How to Prune : These hydrangeas can grow too large or develop ungainly stems that have grown too high — shape plants by cutting wayward or old stems to the ground. So consider limiting pruning every other year or every three years to ensure your hydrangea’s health and vigor. If this group ever needs trimming, it should be done immediately after flowering so you are not cutting … Hydrangeas are beloved summer-blooming shrubs. Climbing Hydrangea (H. anomala petiolaris), zone 4. “The five common hydrangea can be divided into two groups for pruning purposes: those that bloom on old wood and those that bloom on new wood.”. Before you start, spend a few moments studying the stems. Common names include bigleaf hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea, mophead hydrangea, penny mac and hortensia. Bigleaf hydrangeas (H. Serrata cvs., Z 6–9) Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) The best way to decide if your hydrangea blooms on old wood are to notice when it flowers. They bloom on old and new wood, but some winters the flower buds will not make it. Any pruning of healthy growth in the spring, fall, or winter (including help from browsing deer) … PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) Zone 3. This may weaken the plant, however. And in fact, when you prune varies, depending especially on the species you’re growing. If a soil test reveals insufficient acidity and you desire a blue color, just raise acidity. I just let them grow, that’s all. This hydrangea produces elongated clusters (panicles) of white flowers that turn increasingly pinker as fall advances. The timing of pruning is very important on this plant. 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