
When is the best time to prune Hydrangea?
- Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can be pruned in late winter or early spring
- The climbing hydrangea should be pruned in summer after flowering
- Prune smooth hydrangeas and paniculata species annually to a framework of branches to make them flower more prolifically
- Serrata can be treated the same as mophead and lacecap
How to prune hydrangeas and when you should do it?
Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Pruning Hydrangeas that Bloom on Old Wood
- Determine if your hydrangea blooms on old wood. This is another way of saying that your hydrangea produces new spring blooms on last year's buds.
- Prune just after the blooming peak. Since these types of hydrangeas start producing buds soon after blooming, in late summer and early fall, it's essential to prune them just ...
- Remove old blooms. ...
When is the right time to prune your hydrangeas?
There are two simple rules of hydrangea pruning. If it blooms on old wood, you prune after the blooms fade in the middle of summer or else wait until late winter or early spring. And if it blooms on new wood, then late winter or early spring is the optimal time to prune.
When to prune a quick fire Hydrangea?
When to Prune a Quick Fire Hydrangea
- Quick Fire Hydrangea Characteristics. The Quick Fire panicle hydrangea cultivar is nearly half the size of the species panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, U.S. ...
- Old Wood vs. New Wood. ...
- When to Prune Quick Fire. The best window of time to prune Quick Fire hydrangea is from late winter to early spring. ...
- Quick Fire Hydrangea Pruning Tips. ...

When do hydrangeas bloom?
This is the most common hydrangea variety. Also known as panicle hydrangeas, peegees display massive snowball-shaped flower clusters in mid- to late summer. The flowers start out white and slowly turn pink, drying and remaining on the plant long after the leaves have fallen. Flower buds occur on new spring growth.
How long do big leaf hydrangeas bloom?
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have exceptionally large, long serrated dark green leaves (up to 8 inches) and they bloom for an extended period through mid to late summer. The flower color is affected by soil pH; acid soils cause flowers to be blue; alkaline soil causes pink flowers. Along with the large leaves, bigleaf hydrangeas are identified by the large, rounded flowers that bloom in summer. This is one of the species that bloom on old wood; you'll prune this just after the plant is finished flowering.
What is the color of a big leaf hydrangea?
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) The bigleaf hydrangea often has flowers whose color changes with the soil pH: blue in acid soil and pink in alkaline soil. However, there are also a few varieties that simply stay white. Its leaves are coarsely serrated and glossy, dark green.
What is a mountain hydrangea?
Mountain Hydrangea (H. serrata) Mountain hydrangeas are small flowering shrubs with narrow, pointed leaves and flattened flower heads. This plant is sometimes confused with Hydrangea macrophylla because of their similar flowers. However, this type doesn't have the big leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla .
When do hydrangeas turn pink?
The flowers start out white and slowly turn pink, drying and remaining on the plant long after the leaves have fallen.
How to keep blooms from faded?
Spent flowers can be trimmed away as they fade to keep the plant looking tidy. Simply clip away the blooms using bypass pruners.
Do mountain hydrangeas have big leaves?
This plant is sometimes confused with Hydrangea macrophylla because of their similar flowers. However, this type doesn't have the big leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla . Pruning should be done cautiously—or not at all, if not required control the shrub's shape. Blooming occurs on old wood, and the plant's pruning needs are minimal.
Why do you prune hydrangeas?
You might be pruning simply because the hydrangea is too large and needs to be cut back.
What is deadheading a flower?
Deadheading is a process you can do whenever your particular variety has already bloomed. Once you see the blooms fading you can clip them immediately below the old bloom but above any new buds.
When do oakleaf hydrangeas bloom?
This flowering, deciduous shrub is ideal for planting foundations, borders, hedges, or anywhere else throughout your garden. The flowers bloom in the summertime and during the fall the leaves turn beautiful colors. You can watch the color of the blooms…
Do hydrangeas need pruning?
Pruning hydrangeas should typically take place after your flowers have grown and before the new bud blooms are showing themselves. Hydrangeas do not require pruning but there are still reasons you would do it. You can leave the plant to grow and thrive and will do so quite well without showing any signs of wear simply because you haven’t given it ...
When was the Hydrangeas website last updated?
Last updated on April 9th, 2019. Our site is reader supported, this means we may earn a small commission from Amazon and other affiliates when you buy through links on our site. Hydrangeas are a beautiful shrub that comes in many varieties and offers outstanding flowers and foliage throughout the spring and summer.
Can you cut back a panicle hydrangea?
If you have the panicle hydrangea or a Climbing Hydrangea you can cut them back when they can physically gotten out of control. The panicle hydrangea can also be cut back into the shape of a tree unlike the other varieties.
When do oak leaf hydrangeas bloom?
Oakleaf hydrangeas ( Hydrangea quercifolia) flowers develop on old wood from last year’s growth. It blooms in June; therefore, to maintain a desired size and shape, they should be pruned soon after flowering. This will allow these beautiful native hydrangeas time to develop flower buds for the following year.
How to contact HGIC?
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988.
Do hydrangeas have buds?
Panicle hydrangeas ( Hydrangea paniculata) develop flower buds on new wood.
Do oak leaf hydrangeas need to be pruned?
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) bloom on old wood. They should be pruned soon after flowering to maintain a desired height and shape.
Do hydrangeas bloom in the summer?
Flower buds will then form on new wood, and the Endless Summer® hydrangeas will repeat bloom throughout the summer.
Why are my hydrangeas not blooming?
Other reasons hydrangeas do not flower include late season cold snaps that freeze flower buds and too much sun, which zaps the plants energy away from bud production. It makes me sad to see these pretty southern belles drooping in the heat of the day, so I have moved mine into deeper shade to avoid the need to water daily. Keep in mind they need a minimum of 3 hours of morning sun to flower. As for late season cold snaps, all we can do is watch the weather and provide protection by covering the canes with frost blankets when needed.
When should I prune hydrangeas?
Ideally, avoid pruning big leaf hydrangeas after August 1 st to avoid inadvertently removing flower buds for the next season. I say “ideally” because sometimes late season pruning is unavoidable. These vigorous growers can easily overtake their intended place in the garden. In this case, forewarned is forearmed. If you must prune in winter or spring after buds have formed, take care to remove no more than ⅓ of the canes to ensure at least a few flowers for next season. If your hydrangea has overstepped its bounds, you might consider pruning it back now and moving it to a more appropriate location. While it’s generally not recommended to move woody ornamental shrubs in the summer, I have found that hydrangeas are quite forgiving as long as they receive plenty of water and are shaded from harsh summer sun.
How to contact HGIC?
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988.
When do Macrophylla bloom?
Macrophylla translated from Latin means “big leaf”, which is evident in the fat leaf buds that emerge on bare canes in early spring. Warm weather forces them to reveal their lush foliage and shortly thereafter, big happy flowers emerge in colors reflecting soil pH.
Can you prune hydrangeas without losing flowers?
‘Endless Summer’ is a widely available mophead hydrangea that will bloom on both old and new growth, so gardeners can prune anytime without fear of losing flowers. If you have ever purchased a hydrangea only to have the color of the flower change without warning, ‘Blushing Bride’ is here to help. It starts out white and matures to a lovely pink regardless of soil chemistry. Lacecap lovers will enjoy the cool blues of ‘Twist-n-Shout’ that can also be relied upon to flower on old or new wood.
Can hydrangeas grow without fertilizer?
A: Mophead or French hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophylla var. macrophylla) are some of the easiest, most reliable shrubs gardeners can grow. They flourish without fertilizer, chemicals or even pruning for that matter. Their showy white, pink and blue blossoms put on a stunning display each year.
Do hydrangeas need to be pruned?
Mopheads aren’t the only hydrangeas that should be pruned immediately after flowering. Closely related, lacecap hydrangeas ( Hydrangea macrophylla var. normalis) should be treated just like their botanical kissing cousins. Personally, I think these refined beauties are underutilized in home landscapes. Their flat, lacy flower heads make them easier to incorporate into the landscape than their blowsy counterparts. Both appreciate a bit of shade from the afternoon sun and look great in mixed borders or massed together along a woodland edge.
Why won't my hydrangeas bloom?
Hello, I'm sorry you haven't been able to enjoy any blooms! It's hard to know exactly why it's not blooming, but often hydrangeas won't bloom if they've been either overfertilized or pruned at the wrong time (or both). Sometimes they don't bloom because of harsh winter weather or fluctuations in...
How many types of hydrangeas are there?
Common hydrangeas belong to four different species but there are 5 common types, each with slightly different pruning requirements. Before you reach for the pruners, determine which species you’re growing.
Do you prune panicle hydrangeas?
You may not need to prune panicle hydrangeas every season. If they seem overgrown or floppy, especially after a hard rain, pruning will tune them up. Take off up to 30%-50% of the old growth, before they leaf out, to create a roundish shape.
Do you need to prune Oakleaf Hydrangea?
Oakleaf hydrangeas want to be left alone to do their thing. They require very little pruning; limit to removal of dead or broken branches as needed. You can improve the shape of the plant by pruning after it finishes flowering. Shown: Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea
Do oak leaf hydrangeas need pruning?
Oakleaf hydrangeas want to be left alone to do their thing. They require very little pruning; limit to the removal of dead or broken branches as needed. You can improve the shape of the plant by pruning it after it finishes flowering.
Can honeysuckle be pruned back?
Hello, I'm not sure which honeysuckle you have, but most can be pruned back as needed in order to control their size. You can also apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in spring. They are low-maintenance plants, so as long as you have support for them to climb on, they are pretty happy.
Can you cut back an Annabelle hydrangea?
Newer varieties like Seaside Serenade® Bar Harbor Hydrangea have been bred to be more compact. Either way, cut back to the ground (don’ t be afraid to prune aggressively).
How big do oak leaf hydrangeas get?
quercifolia). They are considered native to the Southeast United States. Oak leafs can be 8-10 feet tall and just as wide, depending on the cultivar. Be sure to check the mature size before you plant.
What color is a hydrangea?
Hydrangea macrophylla comes in a variety of colors, usually pink, purple or blue . The color of the flower is dependent on the soil pH.
When should I prune hydrangeas in North Carolina?
macrophylla, the name of the blue and pink hydrangeas often seen in eastern North Carolina, blooms on old wood, which means that they need to be pruned right after they finish flowering, usually in August. Waiting until March, as I did, meant that I cut off the potential blooms for the upcoming spring/summer.
What is the number for Extension Master Gardener?
You can reach them via the Extension Master Gardener Infoline on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at 902-1705. They are a treasure for insight and real-world advice in the world of horticulture.
When do hydrangeas bloom?
One of the exciting things about hydrangeas is that with careful selection of different cultivars there can be blooms through late spring to late fall.
What is cooperative extension?
N.C. Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) and local governments statewide.
Do hydrangeas bloom on new wood?
In contrast, there are other hydrangeas that bloom on new wood. The smooth leaf or wild hydrangea (H. arborescens) is native and often seen growing on moist or rocky wooded slopes, ravines, streambanks and bluff bases. The blooms are white and not affected by the pH of the soil. They should be pruned back close to the ground in late winter to encourage vigorous stem growth.
How to prune Nikko Blue?
Prune dead and broken branches back to the nearest healthy branch union or back to the ground if the entire branch is affected. Cut back diseased branches at least 6 inches beyond the affected area and disinfect the pruners before pruning other branches. According to Missouri Botanical Garden, 'Nikko Blue' is prone to diseases like bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot and mildew. Pruning your plant may help it recover from these diseases and prevent it from spreading to other plants, but only if you take the time to clean the affected area and disinfect your pruners.
What diseases does Nikko Blue have?
According to Missouri Botanical Garden, 'Nikko Blue' is prone to diseases like bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot and mildew. Pruning your plant may help it recover from these diseases and prevent it from spreading to other plants, but only if you take the time to clean the affected area and disinfect your pruners.
How to get rid of crossing branches?
Get Rid of Crossing Branches. Eliminate any rubbing or crossing branches, keeping the strongest, healthiest branch in favor of weak or narrow stems. You should also remove any weak, narrow stems to allow more room for healthy, strong branches to develop.
How to keep a branch from rubbing?
Eliminate any rubbing or crossing branches, keeping the strongest, healthiest branch in favor of weak or narrow stems. You should also remove any weak, narrow stems to allow more room for healthy, strong branches to develop. Cut these branches back to the ground if an entire branch rubs or crosses or to just above a leaf node or branch union if only part of the branch is a problem.
Do hydrangeas need to be pruned?
Although many hydrangeas, according to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, do not need to be pruned, that is not the case with 'Nikko Blue.'. Like other summer-blooming bigleaf hydrangeas, 'Nikko Blue' blooms on old wood and requires pruning just after flowers expire, no later than July, ...

Cultivation
Management
- When to prune a hydrangea depends on when it sets its flower buds. Other than the modern repeat blooming hydrangeas, like \"Endless Summer\" and \"Lime Light\", most older hydrangeas set the next season's flower buds in either late summer/fall or during the growing season. Hydrangeas that set their buds late in the season are the most likely to have trouble blooming. I…
Varieties
- The popular mophead hydrangea, also known as bigleaf or florist hydrangea, is sometimes easy to recognize because it is the one whose flower color changes with the soil pH: blue in acid soil, pink in alkaline. There are a few varieties that simply stay white, making it much harder to categorize them from the flowers.
Prevention
- Bigleaf hydrangeas are the variety most susceptible to winter bud injury. If you live in an area with severe winters or your plant is exposed to winter winds, you might need to offer it some winter protection, to protect the flower buds. Tying the branches together and wrapping them with burlap isnt pretty, but it could mean winter survival. Remove the burlap when the buds begin to swell.
Uses
- It's probably not surprising that oakleaf hydrangea is easily recognized by its oakleaf-shaped foliage. Since its major attraction is its foliage, loss of bloom is less disappointing than in other varieties. Oakleaf hydrangea also blooms on new season growth and can be pruned in late winter or early spring, while dormant, to remove dead wood. If it has experienced winter dieback…
Culture
- Peegees do not require hard pruning to the ground. New flower buds will be set on new spring growth. Some gentle pruning in late winter or early spring will not only keep the plants from becoming overgrown, it will also encourage more new growth and hopefully more flower buds. You can deadhead the flowers, as soon as they become unattractive and cl...
Appearance
- Tea of Heaven is a small shrub with narrow, pointed leaves and flattened flowerheads. It is sometimes confused with Hydrangea macrophylla because the flowers can look like lacecaps and/or be blue or pink, but it by no means has big leaves. Hydrangea serrata also blooms on new wood and should be pruned in late winter or early spring.
Causes
- The stunning climbing hydrangea is the type you see slowly making its way up a tree or support. It is a vine, not a shrub and requires little to no pruning. Once climbing hydrangeas become established, they can grow quite vigorously and may need occasional summer pruning to stay in bounds.