Spring Pruning Hydrangea - Ask Extension
The first year we had this hydrangea a deer ate one of the main branches and then smaller branches continued to grow off it each year in an uneven scr...
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Spring Pruning Hydrangea #925556
Asked March 06, 2026, 6:54 PM EST
The first year we had this hydrangea a deer ate one of the main branches and then smaller branches continued to grow off it each year in an uneven scraggly way. How far back can I prune all of the branches so it grows evenly and looks fuller. Thank you!
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Thank you for your question.
Generally, pruning hydrangeas depends on the type of hydrangea you have. But your goal is different. You want to reshape the bush.
If you are not worried about flowering this year, you could first cut dead branches all the way back and then cut back the remaining branches evenly to above a leaf node about where your arrow is.
Some hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so you'd have blooms this year. If yours blooms on old wood, I'd expect no blooms this year.
However, depending on the type of bush you have, you could cut it to the ground. If you have a Pee Wee, Limelight or a few others, the following article states you can actually cut it to the ground. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2083/2023/10/23-10-8-pruninghydrangea.pdf.pdf
For more detailed info see https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
Good luck with your hydrangea. Sincerely,
Generally, pruning hydrangeas depends on the type of hydrangea you have. But your goal is different. You want to reshape the bush.
If you are not worried about flowering this year, you could first cut dead branches all the way back and then cut back the remaining branches evenly to above a leaf node about where your arrow is.
Some hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so you'd have blooms this year. If yours blooms on old wood, I'd expect no blooms this year.
However, depending on the type of bush you have, you could cut it to the ground. If you have a Pee Wee, Limelight or a few others, the following article states you can actually cut it to the ground. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2083/2023/10/23-10-8-pruninghydrangea.pdf.pdf
For more detailed info see https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/pruning-hydrangeas
Good luck with your hydrangea. Sincerely,
