When to prune hydrangeas in milder regions, like this one in California, seems to be a topic of considerable confusion.
It’s difficult to give a simple response because pruning techniques vary depending on the variety of hydrangea you have, including mophead, lace-cap, oakleaf, ever-blooming, climbing, and paniculata varieties.
In other regions of the country, many gardeners trim hydrangeas in the middle of the summer, after the flowers have bloomed. This gives the clipped stems plenty of time before winter to develop the bloom buds for the following year. Winter doesn’t really hit as hard here in California, though, and October is actually the season when many of our hydrangeas are just getting going and will continue to bloom beautifully through the end of the year.
The issue is found there. Even though your hydrangeas are still flourishing in November, many of you have the uneasy sensation that you erred greatly by not pruning them. Even worse, many of you probably have no idea what kind of hydrangea you have, which further adds to the uncertainty. Well, do not despair! Here’s a quick guide to identifying the sort of hydrangea you have as well as when, how, and why to prune it.
You must first identify the species of hydrangea you have. The three types of hydrangeas that predominate are as follows:
1. Hydrangeas with old wood—defined as growth from the previous year—that bloom. These typically bloom in the summer and include H. macrophylla (the Mophead hydrangea your grandmother grew), H. quercifolia (the Oakleaf hydrangea), and H. serrata (Lacecap Hydrangea).
2. Hydrangeas that flower on recently sprung wood. Hydrangea paniculatas (‘Limelight’, ‘Tardiva’, or ‘PeeGee’), Hydrangea arborescens (‘Annabelle’), or Hydrangea anomala are examples of plants that often bloom in the fall (Climbing Hydrangea).
3. Remontant hydrangeas, which bloom on both old and new wood. Two examples of trademarked kinds known as “everbloomers” are “Endless Summer” and “Blushing Bride,” which bloom whenever plants are clipped.
I live in Northern California, and I definitely have a laissez-faire attitude when it comes to pruning my own hydrangeas. Because of our temperate environment, I’ve had terrific success pruning my category #1 hydrangeas at any time of year, even as late as January.
How do I cut them back? Prune the blooms back to the first or second pair of swelling buds if they begin to look dried up and lose their color. This frequently happens in December here in Northern California.
Why do I cut them back? Most people are unaware that pruning hydrangeas is an opportunity to tidy up your plant rather than a necessary annual exercise. Cut any stems that are dead or spindly to the ground. The shrub is probably in the wrong area if you’re pruning it to manage its size. This kind of harsh pruning doesn’t actually work well on mature hydrangea plants. To make pruning much simpler, think about transferring it to a different site where it can expand to the size you want.
Another reason to trim is that older shrubs can develop spindly or deformed growth that benefits from regular renewal. Each year, between a quarter and a third of the oldest canes are removed by cutting them all the way to the base. After a few years of doing this, you’ll have a rich, healthy shrub. This will encourage the emergence of healthy, vigorous new growth.
In the late winter, I prune the Category #2 hydrangeas by two-thirds (usually March). These hydrangeas can be pruned to a few inches above the ground, but doing so increases the likelihood that the stems will grow tall and spindly the next year and topple over under the weight of the dense flower heads.
And consider yourself lucky if you have hydrangeas that fit into category three! When you prune them doesn’t really matter (as long as they don’t have blooms, of course!) as they will produce new growth and buds that will blossom the following year.
If I live in Northern California, when should I prune my hydrangea?
Shrubby hydrangeas flourish in climates with USDA Zone 6 or higher. With the exception of a very small area on the northeastern edge of the state, which borders Nevada, they are therefore perfect landscaping plants for almost all of California. As deciduous plants, hydrangeas benefit from annual pruning to promote new growth, eliminate damage, and regulate the size and shape of the shrub as necessary. After all of the flower heads have fallen off or when they start to look worn out in the landscape, hydrangea shrubs should typically be pruned annually in the fall or early winter in California.
Remove any flower heads that are dead all the way to the parent stem, which is the wood or green stem from which the flower stem emerges. Using clean, precise pruning shears, make all of your cuts on the bias. Trim back and discard any branches or foliage that is diseased, infected, broken, or otherwise compromised.
- Shrubby hydrangeas flourish in climates with USDA Zone 6 or higher.
- After all of the flower heads have fallen off or when they start to look worn out in the landscape, hydrangea shrubs should typically be pruned annually in the fall or early winter in California.
To encourage the growth of new flowering branches, prune away a third of the oldest branches each year. To preserve the hydrangea’s natural architecture, disperse the pruning cuts uniformly across the shrub. Depending on the species of your hydrangea, cut down to the main trunk or to the ground.
By trimming the branch tips to the right length, you can reduce the shrub’s size or change its shape as needed. Size-pruning of the hydrangea species macrophylla and oakleaf should be done in the late summer right after bloom. In the fall or winter, prune the size of hydrangea species with panicles, climbing stems, and smooth leaves.
When is the best time of year to prune my hydrangeas?
The type of hydrangea you have will determine when to prune it. It is necessary to prune hydrangeas that bloom on new growth in late winter or early spring. Hydrangeas that flower on old, woody growth must be clipped after flowering in the summer.
The specialists at the seed and plant firm Thompson & Morgan state that most hydrangeas are clipped in early spring, ideally in February or March, with the exception of climbing hydrangeas, which are pruned in summer (opens in new tab).
The clearest indicator that your hydrangea is ready for trimming is when all of the seed heads have dried up and new, vibrant green buds have begun to emerge. When you notice those, you’ll know it’s time to prune, according to Lee Burkhill of Garden Ninja (opens in new tab).
Although many hydrangea varieties are pruned at the same time of year—late winter or early spring—the methods for each variety vary.
Should hydrangeas be pruned before winter?
If and when you prune is the key to happy, healthy hydrangea flowers. Of course, fertilizing and offering the ideal environment have a lot to recommend them. However, if you don’t prune properly, your efforts will be in vain. Deadheading is not the same as trimming. Pruning refers to more drastic cutting to preserve shape or remove dead growth. However, feel free to discard spent blossoms or cut fresh ones to use in arrangements.
Hydrangeas can bloom on either fresh wood or old wood, depending on the species. The wood from which they blossom determines whether and when to prune.
Old wood-blooming hydrangeas do not require pruning and benefit from it. They’ll blossom more abundantly the next season if you leave them alone. But feel free to deadhead or gently thin. Just keep in mind that while new growth may appear, it won’t bloom until the following season. In our region, four different species blossom on aged wood. Additionally, they are not limited to the hues displayed here.
Climb using suckers. On your wall or trellis, resist the desire to remove the dormant growth.
The flower heads are more conical in appearance, and the leaves are large and resemble oak leaves. It’s a pleasant surprise for a hydrangea when its leaves turn reddish-orange in the fall.
They are very comparable to lacecap types, but smaller and with more compact leaves.
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring on hydrangeas that bloom on new wood. Trim back to two feet to prune to shape. The next season’s blossoms are produced by strong, fresh growth that is encouraged by trimming. In our region, there are two types that bloom on fresh wood. They are also not restricted to the colors displayed.
Oakleaf variants are not included in cone-shaped blooms. Keep the blooms on throughout the winter to provide interest; even dried out, they are quite lovely.
regarded as a wild kind. They often have smaller blooms and leaves than Bigleaf variants and are completely white. They enjoy full sun and can grow very tall.
Knowing whether or when to prune now will help you avoid the disappointment of a hydrangea that doesn’t blossom. Don’t forget that a robust shrub will produce more gorgeous blossoms if it has well-draining soil and good organic fertilizer. Come on in, and we’ll show you where to go to develop your green thumb.
Should I remove the brown blooms on my hydrangea?
Your hydrangea shrubs’ blossoms appear to be withering or turning brown. No need to worry—this is merely a signal that it’s time to deadhead—remove the blossoms from the plant.
Deadheading hydrangeas doesn’t cause any damage to the plants at all. Flowering shrubs stop producing seeds when the spent blooms are removed, and instead focus their efforts on developing their roots and leaves. You will be doing your hydrangeas a favor by deadheading because this strengthens and makes plants healthier.
Cut back these shrubs in late winter before new growth begins
Shrubs that flower on young wood typically start blooming later than old-growth bloomers, beginning in June and continuing until the first frost, because they need to grow and set buds the same year that they bloom. As long as you avoid trimming when the flower buds are opening, these shrubs are understanding if it is not done at a specific period.
1. Trim the flowers all the way back for larger blooms.
These bushes can be completely removed from the ground in late winter or the beginning of spring. If cut severely like this every year, smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger flowers, but many gardeners prefer smaller blooms on stronger stems.
2. Maintain an old growth foundation to lessen flopping
Especially after watering from above or after a heavy storm, the branches of some hydrangeas frequently topple over from the weight of their blooms. Cutting the stems to a height of 18 to 24 inches will help to reduce this flopping by creating a strong framework for fresh growth.
Janet Carson is the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture specialist.
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Do you prune hydrangeas in the spring or the fall?
Pruning is not typically thought of as one of the many gardening activities that may be done in the fall, despite the fact that there are several. It can be difficult to cultivate hydrangeas successfully in New Hampshire, and if you want your plants to blossom, there is frequently very little room for error in pruning.
Wait until Spring to prune hydrangeas
In New Hampshire, hydrangeas come in a variety of kinds, and each one has quite distinct growth patterns and pruning needs. Some plants only produce flowers on fresh growth, while others mostly produce flower buds on older wood. In any case, it is better to postpone all hydrangea pruning until spring. Hydrangeas, as with all other trees and shrubs, go dormant in the fall. Not much new growth is produced by them until the next spring. As new growth is more vulnerable to harsh cold at the location of wounds, plants that have been trimmed now run a higher risk of winter damage. Additionally, fall pruning may lessen the quantity of June blooms.
Considerations for pruning hydrangea species commonly grown in New Hampshire gardens
The gigantic blue mopheads or lacecaps known as bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), which are familiar to most gardeners, form their flower heads at the tips of stems on old wood from the previous year. Although lower buds along the stem have the capacity to grow blooms as well, the hydrangea’s blossoming potential is decreased if those buds are died or damaged throughout the winter. Wait until new growth sprouts in the spring before pruning your bigleaf hydrangeas. Approximately 1/4 inch above the first group of live buds, prune the plant. A hint: the interior of living stems will be green, whereas the interior of dead stems will be brown. Cut completely dead stems flush with the base.
The three other hydrangea species that are frequently planted in Fresh Hampshire—oakleaf (H. quercifolia), panicle (H. paniculata), and smooth—all bloom on new growth. Before the emergence of the leaves in the late winter and early spring, remove wasted flowers and prune the plant to improve its general structure and habit.
In conclusion, there are a ton of other activities you can engage in to stay occupied in the garden during fall. Save the spring for hydrangea pruning.
Does fresh or old wood produce flowers for hydrangeas?
Smooth hydrangeas are easy to grow and exceptionally cold tolerant; they are native to the southern United States. This species, which is frequently misidentified as an Annabelle hydrangea, has enormous, spherical flower heads that are colored white, pink, and green.
Ideal Conditions for Smooth Hydrangeas
A position with some shade is necessary for smooth hydrangea to flourish. Plants benefit from morning light or bright shade for blossoming while being shielded from the scorching afternoon sun. Drought is a threat to plants, and they thrive under conditions of consistent wetness. a great inclusion in woodland gardens and mixed borders, or hidden beneath perennials.
Pruning Smooth Hydrangeas
On fresh wood, smooth hydrangeas blossom. In order to promote profusion of blooms and keep plants at a reasonable size, plants are frequently cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. Cut some of the stems to the ground and leave others with varied lengths, between one and two feet, if a larger shrub is desired.
Can you cultivate hydrangeas in northern California?
The environment is embellished with hydrangeas’ expansive growth patterns and vibrant clusters of tiny flowers. Hydrangeas thrive in nearly all of Northern California’s regions, though the drier locations do necessitate careful watering of the plants. Short bursts of cold can be tolerated by hydrangeas with little to no damage, and they swiftly put on new spring growth that produces an abundance of summer blossoms.