How and When to Prune Hydrangeas
The key is knowing whether your hydrangea flowers on old or new wood. Bigleaf, mountain, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas usually set flower buds on old wood. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on new growth and tolerate harder spring pruning.
Hydrangea spp.
Mark cuts on my photoStep-by-step
Identify the hydrangea type
Confirm the variety before shortening healthy stems. If you are unsure, limit pruning to dead wood and spent flowers until the plant blooms.
Remove dead wood first
Scratch a questionable stem lightly. Living wood is green beneath the bark; dead stems are dry and can be cut back to the base.
Cut above healthy buds
On old-wood types, follow each spent flower down to the first strong pair of buds and cut just above them.
Thin crowded stems
Remove a small number of the oldest stems at ground level to improve airflow without stripping the shrub.
Shape new-wood varieties
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas can be shortened in late winter, leaving a sturdy framework of healthy stems.
Do not hard-prune an unknown hydrangea in autumn
Do not remove visible fat flower buds on old wood
Avoid taking more than one third of the shrub in a season
Water deeply after substantial pruning
Mulch without piling material against stems
Skip heavy feeding immediately after a hard cut
Frequently asked questions
Pruning a real hydrangeas?
A guide explains the method. A photo can show the exact stems and nodes visible on your plant.
Open photo pruning assistant