Hydrangeas are renowned for their beautiful blooms, and regular pruning is essential to maintain their health and beauty. Pruning helps control their size, shape, and stimulates new growth, resulting in a more abundant and impressive flower display. According to award-winning designer Lee Burkhill, pruning hydrangeas is ‘essential’ to get the most out of these plants.
Pruning hydrangeas also helps redirect the plant’s energy toward producing larger, more beautiful flowers. By reducing the number of flower clusters, the plant can focus its resources on developing fewer, more spectacular blooms.
The timing of pruning depends on the type of hydrangea. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, or last year’s growth, should be pruned in late summer. This involves simply deadheading the spent blooms and lightly tidying up the plant. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, or this year’s growth, should be pruned in late winter or early spring. For these varieties, cut back to outward-facing buds and remove older growth each year.
Pruning hydrangeas is a relatively simple task that requires minimal equipment. All you need is a clean, sharp pair of secateurs. The first step is to remove all the dead seed heads, cutting just above the next set of green buds. Next, remove one-quarter of the oldest stems to encourage new growth and maintain productivity.
After removing the flower heads and some of the older stems, thin out any congested growth or crossing branches. These areas can become tangled and damaged, affecting the plant’s health and flower production. Remove any damaged or diseased stems, cutting back to the next healthy bud or removing them completely if necessary.
Finally, prune for flowers by removing the top third of hydrangea growth back to a fresh bud or leaf node. This helps keep the plant compact and robust, preventing it from becoming top-heavy and bare at the base.
By following these simple pruning guidelines, you can help your hydrangeas thrive and produce an abundance of stunning blooms season after season.
