Hi, friends! Today I will tell you whether it is worth pruning hydrangeas.
⚡QUICK ANSWER: Pruning hydrangeas is not a mandatory requirement. However, after pruning, they become more vigorous and bloom better.
Cut old wood after flowering
Most varieties of hydrangeas lose their leaves in the late fall and look dead throughout winter. There are called deciduous varieties. Others keep their leaves year-round.
There are many different varieties of hydrangeas. Some will flower on both old and new wood, whereas others will only bloom on new or old wood. Most varieties of hydrangeas should be pruned because it increases their growth and health.
| Age | Recognized by | When to cut back |
| Old | Hard, sturdy stems with thick, layered bark | Immediately after flowering, if at all, before new buds grow. |
| New | Soft, weak stems, with only small amounts of bark if any | Any time of year. |
Flowers that grow on old wood
Old wood can be recognized by rigid and strong stems. They have old looking bark on them that is often layered. They will be browner in color. This is compared with new wood, which is green, has very little bark, and the stems are soft and weak.
All varieties of hydrangea can be cut back all the way to ground level, and still grow back again.
Flowers for a hydrangea grow from buds. The buds remain on the plant all throughout the winter. Buds grow very shortly after the current year’s flowers shrivel and fall off.
So if you want to cut off the old wood, you should do so immediately after flowering before the new buds form. This will ensure you don’t cut off the next year’s flowers. That way you will have flowers the following year.
Flowers that grow on new wood
New wood is the current season’s growth. Cut these stems at any time, but only after the flowers have bloomed.
Don’t cut a hydrangea all the way back!
If you cut it all the way back, the next season’s growth won’t be as large. This is why many people decide to prune their hydrangeas to preserve the size of the plant.
Old-growth should be cut back after flowering when the flowers begin to brown and wilt. You can recognize this by flowers that come out from an old stem. Any very old stems should be cut off to ground level. This will increase the growth and health of the plant.
Use your judgment in regard to which branches are very old. They can be easily recognized by where you can see where you have pruned them back many seasons prior. They will also have many layers of old looking dry bark.
Hydrangeas will grow well without pruning
If you don’t prune hydrangeas, they will flower just fine. But, the volume and appearance of the flowers won’t be as good as if you prune it. Pruning reduces the number of resources the plant needs.
This causes more energy and nutrients to be available to the plant. This increased energy gets put into the remaining growth. This causes the flowers to appear fuller, larger, and as a result, more beautiful.
After pruning, the plants grow more vigorously
After pruning, the hydrangea will focus more energy on creating flower buds rather than stems. As a result, the following year you will get lush blooms in large quantities. At the same time, the size of the hydrangea bush will increase only slightly.
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My lawn care guy cut back my Hydrangeas over 5 years ago – they look beautiful but I have never gotten flowers back. They are a beautiful green and healthy looking plant anyway I can get them to bloom again?
Hi, Mary Ann. Just give your hydrangea good care and it will bloom for sure. There is nothing else you can do.
Very good article! Is it possible at some point and time can I take a cutting off a hydrangea to replant at another location?
Hi Sherry. Yes, you can take a cutting from a hydrangea plant to replant it in another location. Propagating hydrangeas from cuttings is a common and effective method to create new plants with similar characteristics as the parent plant.
My hydrangea stems can’t support the huge flowers so they bow over and flowers are on the ground. Otherwise plant is very healthy and looks great. I do trim it back every fall to about a foot off the ground. How do I grow thicker, stronger stems which could support upright flowers?
Hi, Linda. In your case it is best to use plant support.
I bought a supposed blue hydrangea it is now 4 years old and has never had a blossom.It is planted by a white hydrangea that has many beautiful big blossoms each year. Any advice would be welcomed.
Hi Shirley. The issue might be transplant shock or issues with the roots. Apply slow-release fertilizer pellets in the spring. Additionally, water it with liquid fertilizer multiple times throughout the year.
Its November and my hydrangeas are blooming. We live in southern Indiana,zone 5. Is this normal?
Hi, Linda. It is not normal for hydrangeas to bloom in November, but it does happen sometimes. The plant still has the strength to produce flowers again and you don’t have to worry about it.
I HAVE ENDLESS SUMMER HYDRANGEAS, How and when to prune ?
Hi Donald. Here are my recommendations:
When to Prune
The best time to prune ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas is after they have finished blooming in late summer or fall, but before they go dormant. However, because they bloom on both old and new wood, you can do light pruning almost any time, except when they are forming bloom heads in the spring.
Avoid pruning in late fall, winter, or early spring, as you may inadvertently remove flower buds.
How to Prune
Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage more blooms. This can be done throughout the blooming season.
Removing Dead Stems: Prune any dead stems in early spring just as the new growth is starting to emerge. Dead stems can be identified as they will be brittle and will not have any new growth or buds.
Shaping the Plant: If you need to shape the plant or control its size, it’s best to do so immediately after flowering has finished for the season.
Rejuvenation Pruning: For an older plant that is not performing well, consider rejuvenation pruning. Cut the plant back to about 12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring. This type of pruning will often sacrifice the blooms for a season, as you may be cutting off the old wood flower buds, but the plant will emerge stronger and rejuvenated.
Thinning: If the plant is very dense in the center, thin out some of the older canes to allow light and air to penetrate the plant, which can help with overall plant health and vigor.
Pruning Technique
Hi, I’m going to cut my Hydrangeas today, close to the ground, first time doing it, last year I had flowers all over, this year just one, it just kept growing. Getting to cover the front area. I hope they come back flowers.
I have a Hugh beautiful hydrangea that was there when I bought my house 7 years ago. That being said, it has never bloomed. Do you know why?
Hi Christine! It sounds like you’ve got a lovely hydrangea that’s just a bit shy about blooming! There could be several reasons why your hydrangea hasn’t flowered in all these years. Let’s go through some of the common ones:
Pruning at the Wrong Time: Hydrangeas need a specific pruning schedule depending on their type. Some bloom on old wood (last year’s growth), and some on new wood (current year’s growth). If you prune at the wrong time, you might be cutting off the buds before they have a chance to bloom.
Not Enough Light: While hydrangeas don’t need direct, all-day sunlight, they do need some to bloom well. If your hydrangea is in too much shade, it might not produce flowers.
Too Much Nitrogen: If you’re feeding your garden a lot, or if the hydrangea is close to a lawn that gets fertilized regularly, it might be getting too much nitrogen. This can lead to lush green growth at the expense of blooms.
Winter Kill: In colder climates, the buds of hydrangeas that bloom on old wood can be damaged by frost. If the plant isn’t protected in winter, or if a late frost hits after the plant has started to bud, it could kill the flower buds.
Age or Variety: Some hydrangeas take a few years to start blooming, especially if they’re grown from seed. Additionally, there are varieties that are less prolific bloomers than others.
Stress: Environmental stress, such as drought, excessive heat, or poor soil conditions, can also affect blooming. Ensuring your hydrangea is well-watered (but not waterlogged) and in healthy soil can make a big difference.
Here are a few steps you might consider to encourage your hydrangea to bloom:
I need help! I have a hydrangeas that is 30 years old. It flowered for many years but now, almost nothing, maybe one flower if I’m lucky. Maybe it’s too old? I try cutting it back and then I tried leaving it been. Nothing works. Help!
Hi Caroline! Try using a specialized fertilizer for hydrangeas. It should encourage it to bloom.
My hydrangea has brown spots on the leaves. What can I do to fix this?
Hi Kathleen! Brown spots are most likely a fungal disease, so spray the hydrangea with a fungicide. Repeat the spraying after 3 weeks.
I hope this helps, good luck!
New Hydrangea grower. So confused. Could you very specifically tell me how and when to prune Pistachio and Heart Throb dwarfs. Thank you so much
Greetings,
If you want to shape your hydrangeas or simply reduce their size, it is best to do this in early spring. Shorten the branches by no more than half their length.
If we are talking about flower heads, they should be cut off after they have faded. Cut no lower than an inch from the inflorescence.
As for dead wood, you can remove dry branches at any time.
I hope this helps. Happy gardening!
I have a lace cap hydrangea (about 5 yrs old) and it has NEVER flowered. What can I do?
Hi Ded,
The reason for the lack of flowering may be a lack of fertilizer. Water the hydrangea with a liquid fertilizer in March, repeat this in April and May. Use only a quality hydrangea fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label.
I hope this helps, I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
I have a beautiful 20 year old hydrangea. For many years I had big blue blossoms. Several years ago it bloomed white and has been white ever since. I do not know what changed the color. The blossoms are as big and lush as when they were blue. Any ideas?
Hi Nancy!
Most likely, the soil around the roots is not acidic enough and as a result, the color has changed. To get a blue color, use aluminum sulfate. There are products on sale that are specifically designed to change the color of hydrangeas to blue.
I hope this helps. I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
when is a good time to move my plant, I have it close to the house and it is huge
Hi there,
The best time to transplant is early spring. Since your hydrangea is large, it is better to postpone transplanting until next spring. When digging up, try to damage as few roots as possible.
I hope I have helped you. I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
My lawn care guy cut back my Hydrangea
Hello
If the hydrangea is cut back to a height of at least 1 inch, it should grow back over time.
I hope I have helped you. I am waiting for other questions from you.
we purchased 4 hydrangea several years ago 2 white and 2 pink. They are not multiplying at all and the white ones are the only one blooming.
the pink ones are very small. What are we doing wrong? We keep them watered, give them food but the pink ones not grow nor bloom.
what am I doing wrong?
Hello
In my opinion, the reason may be a root problem. Although hydrangeas love water, they do not need to be overwatered. Water only when the soil is 1-2 inches dry.
Another reason for the lack of flowering and slow growth may be the climate. If you live in a cold climate, the hydrangea can freeze in winter. To fix this, cover it with protective material for the winter.
Over the past month, the leaves on my hydrangeas have all started turning black. What could be going on?
Hello JR
It’s difficult to judge without a photo, but I can assume that the leaves are changing color because they will fall off for the winter. This is a normal process and nothing needs to be done about it.
Hi Igor,
I have planted 3 Cherry Go Round Hydrangeas this year and all developed powdery mildew on practically every leaf. I have moved them to a sunnier area now but I wonder if I should remove every infected leaf now before winter, or will fresh new leaves grow in the spring?
Thank you
Hello Gina,
Spray the hydrangeas with a copper fungicide. Wait until the leaves fall and throw them away.
In the spring, the new leaves will be healthy. Spray them with fungicide to prevent powdery mildew.
I live in Maine, when is the best time to prune my endless summer hydrangeas
Hi Sue,
The best time to prune your hydrangeas is immediately after flowering.