How to prune hydrangeas and when you should do it

Hydrangeas are a mutual, but beautiful sight in well-nigh gardens. Each establish tin can hold hundreds of flowers which are grouped together in pocket-size bursts with colors ranging from pinkish to purple to blueish.

They're not the easiest to intendance for though, needing regular watering and occasional pruning — not to mention you need to know how to winterize hydrangeas too. Unsure how and when you should prune? That'south why we've pulled together this guide on how to prune hydrangeas and at what time of year it'south best to do so.

And if roses are more than your thing, we also have a guide to how to prune roses — and when y'all should do information technology.

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Why should y'all clip hydrangeas?

If you lot don't prune your hydrangea, it will overgrow and look less presentable. The blooms volition not be as vibrant equally they could be, and you might notice it becomes more than 'woody' looking too. Pruning is healthy for your hydrangea, every bit it encourages growth and fresh flowers — information technology volition ultimately make your hydrangea look meliorate in the long run.

Depending on the type of hydrangea you have, different pruning methods will apply. This guide covers three of the well-nigh popular types: mophead, lacecap and climbing hydrangeas.

How to prune mophead and lacecap hydrangeas

mophead hydrangeas — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

1. Remove last yr'southward flowerheads using a pair of pruning shears. You want to cut down to just higher up the fresh buds.

ii. If your plant appears congested, you can cut diagonally between the buds so only one shoot continues to grow.

3. Cutting away any thin or delicate stems which can exist institute almost the base as well as any sometime stems which take seen better days. This encourages new and stronger growth.

4. If your hydrangea is really overgrown and you desire it to beginning once again, you tin cut right down to the base. Bear in mind that it likely won't bloom again until the following twelvemonth.

How to prune climbing hydrangeas

1. You should cut back the shoots on climbing hydrangeas immediately after flowering stops. Start by trimming back the previously flowered shoots to a fresh pair of new buds. Virtually flowers will announced on the top of the plant, so avoid pruning this area if possible.

ii. You lot can clip back harder than this if necessary, but y'all will be giving upward next yr'southward blooms. If you lot plan to severely prune back your climbing hydrangea, but you desire to keep the flowers, prune information technology dorsum gradually over a number of years instead.

Most other types of hydrangea will but demand minimal pruning and trimming to get rid of whatsoever old stems or reduce the size.

When to clip hydrangeas

For mophead and lacecap hydrangeas, y'all should clip them in the tardily winter or early spring. Do not prune these simply prior to winter as without the flowerheads, the frost can impale the plant.

Climbing hydrangeas, on the other hand, should be pruned once the flowering stops, which tends to be immediately after summer. You shouldn't do this any other time of the year every bit you could be cutting off new buds.

Washed with your hydrangeas? Then check out how to grow a Christmas tree.