hydrangea care - Ask Extension
It's spring and my hydrangeas are looking good, the leaves are coming out great. I do have some dead looking stems or sticks that tower above the gre...
Knowledgebase
hydrangea care #867550
Asked May 08, 2024, 11:25 AM EDT
It's spring and my hydrangeas are looking good, the leaves are coming out great. I do have some dead looking stems or sticks that tower above the green leaves, do I trim them down or out or do I just leave them alone? Janice
I can send a picture if you need one.
Mercer County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Janice,
There is no harm in pruning out branches that have died over the winter. Just be sure to cut them above any living buds as noted in this article:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-hydrangeas-best-bloom
If there is no living tissue (indicated by green just under the bark), you can remove that stem completely. If your plants need re-shaping, wait until blooming is done and follow the directions in the article.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
There is no harm in pruning out branches that have died over the winter. Just be sure to cut them above any living buds as noted in this article:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-hydrangeas-best-bloom
If there is no living tissue (indicated by green just under the bark), you can remove that stem completely. If your plants need re-shaping, wait until blooming is done and follow the directions in the article.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
