Visit our online shop for 100% made in Canada products and gifts!
One of the most common questions we receive is when to prune hydrangeas. This question always appears in the fall when gardeners are starting to prune their shrubs and bushes. The answer depends on which type of hydrangeas you are growing. Each type of hydrangea has a different care routine.
Knowing when and how to properly prune hydrangeas is important when it comes to ensuring that they produce beautiful blooms next season. In today’s blog, we teach you when to prune hydrangeas that grow on old and new wood. We also provide you with some important winter care tips. So, pull up a chair, and let’s dig in!
Identifying hydrangeas in your garden and determining whether they bloom on new or old wood
Half the battle of knowing when to prune your hydrangeas is knowing which type you are growing. Some are best pruned at different times of the year. It often depends on if they bloom on old or new wood. The first step is to determine which type you have and how it blooms. This will help you to develop a proper care plan designed for your plant’s needs.
The main types of hydrangeas include:
- Panicle
- Smooth
- Oakleaf
- Big leaf
- Climbing
Both Panicle and Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood. They start to set their flowers in spring and bloom weeks later in the summer. The blooms for Panicle and Smooth hydrangeas are produced off of the new growth within the plant.
Panicle hydrangeas are easily spotted in the garden. They have large cone-like flowers. Common varieties of Panicle hydrangeas that you might have in your own garden include Peegee or Limelight.
Smooth hydrangeas, are usually filled with large clusters of individual flowers. Annabelle is one of the most common hydrangeas belonging to this category.
Big leaf, Oak leaf, and Climbing hydrangeas belong to the family of hydrangeas which bloom on old wood. This means that they produce their blooms on last year’s growth. They bloom during the later part of the summer.
Big leaf hydrangeas are easily recognizable from their popular blue, pink, and purple tones. They also have thick and shiny leaves. These hydrangeas come in two main varieties including Mophead and Lacecap. Mophead hydrangeas tend to have ball-like clusters of flowers. The flower clusters of Lacecap varieties tend to be more flat and lace-like.
When and how to prune hydrangeas that bloom on new wood
Because they bloom on new wood, both Panicle and Smooth hydrangea varieties offer a bit more flexibility for pruning. However, avoid pruning them when the flower buds are starting to open. If you do this, you will interrupt the blooming process. You may be left with a lot of foliage and no blooms.
To avoid interrupting the blooming process, aim to prune back these hydrangeas either in very early spring before blooming has started. Or, prune them after the plant has finished blooming for the year. This is usually in late summer or early fall. If you only want to prune your hydrangeas to create the right shape for your landscape, you can go ahead and trim off some of the ends.
If you need to do a hard prune, trim the branches back before the growing season starts. Allow it to grow back up again throughout the season. This might be the case if your plant is starting to branch out too much and looking spindly. It’s best to do a hard prune in late winter or early spring.
Once these plants awaken from their winter dormancy, they will push out lots of new growth. With this type of hydrangea, don’t be afraid if you need to aggressively prune it back. They can be taken down by about a third and still push out new growth and blooms in the same year.
When and how to prune hydrangeas that bloom on old wood
Big leaf, Oak leaf, and Climbing hydrangeas bloom in the later part of the summer. Avoid pruning back in the fall, winter, or spring. Doing this will also remove any of the buds or old wood to produce beautiful summertime blooms next season.
Aim to prune back these types of hydrangeas in late summer. Wait until they have finished blooming. In this way, the plant will be able to regenerate new growth. The new growth is where next year’s blooms will be produced.
How to Identify and Remove Old Woody Hydrangea Stems
From time to time, you will need to clear out old woody parts of these hydrangeas. An easy trick to figure out if it is an old stem is to gently scratch the top. If it is green underneath, then this is a new stem. Leave it alone. If it is brown and woody, then this is an older stem. Go ahead and remove it.
Getting your hydrangea plants ready for winter
With the temperatures falling, you might be wondering how you can protect your beautiful hydrangea plants over the winter. You might also wonder how to get them ready for their show stopping blooming period next summer. Here a few tips you should keep in mind to help your plants survive the winter.
Water thoroughly before first frost of the year
Water your hydrangeas thoroughly before your first average expected frost date. This will help to keep the root system well hydrated over winter.
Be careful not to fertilize before the winter dormancy period begins. You want the plant to shut down its growth habits over the winter. This way, it will properly push out new growth and blooms next season. If you were to fertilize during the dormancy period, the plant might think it is time to come out of hibernation. Doing this will risk damage from ice and frigidly cold temperatures.
Add a protective layer of mulch
To help insulate the roots over the winter and protect them from damage, add a layer of mulch. Adding the mulch around he base of your plants will help to keep it warm over the winter. It will also help to prevent premature sprouting.
Wrap to protect against winter weather
DIY protective covers do come in handy to protect your plants over winter. One option is to construct an A-frame cage out of chicken wire and cover with burlap. You can use just straight burlap and tie it around your hydrangea like a blanket too.
If you are growing in a zone that is particularly prone to a lot of ice and snow, this protective layer will help to insulate your plants. It will also protect them from bouts of heavy snow.
Final thoughts on pruning old and new wood hydrangeas
Learning how to properly prune your hydrangeas can seem like a daunting task at first. Start by knowing what kind of hydrangea you have growing. Next, determine whether it blooms on new or old wood. This will help you to prune it at the right time of the year.
With a little attention to detail and some elbow grease, pruning your hydrangeas will help the plant to be at its best next season. It will also help you keep the shape that you are looking for in your garden landscape. Until next time gardening friends, do not be afraid to prune back your hydrangeas. Just remember to check first before you do to make sure you are pruning at the right time of year! For more helpful tips on caring for your hydrangeas, visit our Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram pages @bluenoseblooms.
