Everything you need to know about pruning hydrangeas: when to prune and instructions for different types of hydrangeas.

The right pruning is crucial for impressive hydrangea flowers

The right pruning is essential for magnificent hydrangea blossoms. However, the different types of hydrangea differ in which cut is the right one at which time. While some species - such as panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) or snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) uncomplicatedly display their abundance of flowers year after year, the classic and widespread farmer's hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) can sometimes fail to flower in a year. This can often be prevented, especially with the right cut.

Pruning back hydrangeas (Hydrangea) first requires knowing which species have taken root in your home garden. Farmer's hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) develop their flowers for the following year in autumn. So they bloom on the previous year's wood. If you cut back too much here, it can mean the loss of the beautiful flowers. Panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) or snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), on the other hand, bloom on so-called annual wood - that is, they form their flowers in the same year they bloom. So these two popular hydrangeas are among the species that can be pruned without hesitation.

Pruning hydrangeas: the right time

Hydrangeas can be pruned either in autumn or in spring before they sprout again. Both points in time have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pruning hydrangeas in autumn

If you already cut your hydrangeas in autumn, you should consider the following points:

  • Dried flowers no longer serve as a breeding ground for fungal pathogens
  • If the hydrangea is not sufficiently protected against frost, it can penetrate more easily via the interfaces and cause damage
When the hydrangeas in autumnare cut, the frost can penetrate through the cuts over the winter

Pruning Hydrangeas in Spring

The following advantages and disadvantages result from cutting hydrangeas in spring instead of in autumn:

  • Even dried flowers still have a certain ornamental value in winter
  • It's not so easy for the frost to damage the hydrangea
  • If the hydrangea is wrapped to protect it from frost, mold can develop more quickly on the dried plant remains due to poor air circulation

Instructions: Cut different types of hydrangeas correctly

When cutting, the type of hydrangea is particularly important. We look in particular at the classic farmer's hydrangea that blooms on last year's wood and the snowball and panicle hydrangeas, which can also bloom on new shoots. You will also learn what to consider when pruning climbing hydrangeas.

Pruning peasant hydrangeas correctly

With the classic peasant hydrangea, radical pruning should be avoided if possible. Most varieties will then not flower the next year. It is better to correct the shape with the annual pruning of some shoots. With some new varieties of the Hydrangea macrophylla, however, this is now obsolete because they are remontant - this means that they can flower several times a year and even on fresh shoots.

  • Pruning flowers in autumn: Dried flowers should ideally be cut back in autumn, but you can also cut them back in spring. It is important to start the cut just below the inflorescence so as not to endanger the flowering in the following year.
  • Cut out weak and dead branches: Sick and weak shoots can also be cut out when the inflorescences are cut off. This reduces the risk of infection with fungal pathogens and creates some light inside the woody shrub.
  • Remove old shoots: Older shoots that are already heavily branched and develop very strong branches at the base should be removed at a later date. Depending on the size and age of the hydrangea, more or fewer shoots can be cut off a few centimeters above the ground. This gives the plant more energy for new shoots and larger flowers on the younger, more vital branches.
  • Avoid Radical Pruning
Hereyou can see the different types of cuts for ball hydrangeas

Pruning snowball and panicle hydrangeas correctly

Hydrangeas, which can bloom on one-year-old wood, i.e. the fresh shoots, are much less complicated to cut. With one cut, faded inflorescences can be removed and the shape can be corrected. They can easily be shortened to 30 centimeters. This also promotes branching excellently. The pruning can be done either in autumn or in too frosty regions in spring before new growth.

Pruning climbing hydrangeas correctly

Actually, a climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) does not really need pruning. However, the previous year's flowers should also be removed here. This looks nicer on the one hand and also protects against fungal attack. If the climbing hydrangea grows too much for you, it can be cut back without any problems. However, it should be noted that flowering will probably not occur, since Hydrangea petilolaris also blooms on perennial wood, just like peasant hydrangeas. For more information on pruning climbing hydrangeas, click here.

If you want to learn more about the different hydrangea species and varieties, you will find all the important information in this article.

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Trees