Trimming Hydrangeas - Ask Extension
Is it appropriate to trim all hydrangeas to the ground each fall?
Knowledgebase
Trimming Hydrangeas #855882
Asked November 29, 2023, 9:28 AM EST
Is it appropriate to trim all hydrangeas to the ground each fall?
Muskegon County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
The pruning of hydrangeas in the fall depends on the type of hydrangea and whether it blooms on new or old wood. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, such as Hydrangea paniculata and its varieties, can be trimmed back by 1/3rd and have dead flowers and twigs removed. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as Hydrangea macrophylla and its varieties, should only have spent blooms snipped off right below the flower head and any weak or diseased canes cut off at the soil line. Dead branches can be cut off any time.
According to a guide from the University of Maryland Extension, different cultivars require different pruning styles and many gardeners don’t know how and when to prune them. If you feel uncertain about which variety you have, a safe rule for all types of hydrangeas is that no pruning is better than the wrong type of pruning.
A simplified approach, suitable for all types of hydrangeas, is to limit pruning to: Winter-killed wood — Remove all dead branches in the spring before or as the buds are opening. Test the stem for life by scraping the bark with a knife. If it’s not green underneath, it’s dead and should be removed.
Rejuvenation — Old wood dies back on even the healthiest hydrangeas. In the early spring remove dead or very old stems by cutting them at the base of the plant. This will stimulate new growth and produce a more vigorous bloom set later in the summer. Dead flowers —Removal of old dried flowers, known as deadheading, is the safest pruning and can’t be done incorrectly. Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) should not be pruned in fall, winter or spring. Only prune after flowering as flower buds are produced in late summer and carried on the sticks until the following summer bloom time.
Resources at the below links:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/guide-pruning-hydrangeas
https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/139290.pdf
https://news.extension.uconn.edu/2020/02/19/do-i-cut-the-bare-hydrangea-sticks-or-not/
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/10/should-i-prune-my-hydrangeas-now-or-wait-until-spring
I hope this helps!
The pruning of hydrangeas in the fall depends on the type of hydrangea and whether it blooms on new or old wood. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, such as Hydrangea paniculata and its varieties, can be trimmed back by 1/3rd and have dead flowers and twigs removed. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as Hydrangea macrophylla and its varieties, should only have spent blooms snipped off right below the flower head and any weak or diseased canes cut off at the soil line. Dead branches can be cut off any time.
According to a guide from the University of Maryland Extension, different cultivars require different pruning styles and many gardeners don’t know how and when to prune them. If you feel uncertain about which variety you have, a safe rule for all types of hydrangeas is that no pruning is better than the wrong type of pruning.
A simplified approach, suitable for all types of hydrangeas, is to limit pruning to: Winter-killed wood — Remove all dead branches in the spring before or as the buds are opening. Test the stem for life by scraping the bark with a knife. If it’s not green underneath, it’s dead and should be removed.
Rejuvenation — Old wood dies back on even the healthiest hydrangeas. In the early spring remove dead or very old stems by cutting them at the base of the plant. This will stimulate new growth and produce a more vigorous bloom set later in the summer. Dead flowers —Removal of old dried flowers, known as deadheading, is the safest pruning and can’t be done incorrectly. Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) should not be pruned in fall, winter or spring. Only prune after flowering as flower buds are produced in late summer and carried on the sticks until the following summer bloom time.
Resources at the below links:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/guide-pruning-hydrangeas
https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/139290.pdf
https://news.extension.uconn.edu/2020/02/19/do-i-cut-the-bare-hydrangea-sticks-or-not/
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/10/should-i-prune-my-hydrangeas-now-or-wait-until-spring
I hope this helps!
Hello Again,
Some other good resources at these links:
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-hydrangeas-best-bloom
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-03-10-how-properly-prune-hydrangeas
I hope this also helps!
Some other good resources at these links:
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-hydrangeas-best-bloom
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-03-10-how-properly-prune-hydrangeas
I hope this also helps!
Thank you very much
You are welcome - Have a wonderful day!
