Is it better to prune hydrangeas in fall or spring?

Author: Miss Dariana Halvorson Jr.  |  Last update: Monday, September 18, 2023

While some plants bloom on new growth, others primarily set flower buds on old wood. Regardless, it is best to wait to prune all hydrangeas until spring. In the fall, hydrangeas (and all trees and shrubs) are in the process of going dormant. They do not produce very much new growth until the following spring.

What month do you cut hydrangeas back?

Prune back stems to just above a fat bud — called a heading cut — in fall, late winter or spring. These plants have conical-shaped flower heads. I recommend leaving the dry, tan flower heads on the plant to provide some winter interest in your landscape, so I wait to prune these until late winter or spring.

What happens if you cut hydrangeas back in the fall?

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be safely pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring. Next year's flower buds won't be formed until late spring the same year they bloom, so there is no risk of removing the buds if you prune in fall or spring.

How far do you cut back hydrangeas in the fall?

To reduce the size of a hydrangea that blooms on new wood, cut off about one-third of each stem in late fall or early spring before it begins to leaf out. If your hydrangea blooms on old wood, prune right after it has bloomed when the flowers are fading.

How far do you cut down hydrangeas for the winter?

In late winter or early spring, these shrubs can be cut all the way back to the ground. Smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger blooms if pruned hard like this each year, but many gardeners opt for smaller blooms on sturdier stems.

How To (or Should You ? ) Prune Hydrangeas in Early Spring

Do hydrangeas need to be cut down every year?

Hydrangeas do not require strict reqular pruning; simply keep them healthy by removing dead wood and they will grow and flower well.

How do you winterize hydrangeas?

Wrap with winter protection.

During the winter, make a DIY A-frame wire cage out of burlap and chicken wire to protect your hydrangea plant. This cage will protect it from winter winds, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures.

Should I cut off brown hydrangea blooms in fall?

However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place. This not only provides winter interest, but also ensures you don't remove the buds that will become flowers next spring.

Is it too late to prune hydrangeas in October?

Bottom-line: Panicle-type hydrangeas should be pruned in late winter or early spring. While they could be pruned in fall, we highly advise waiting until late winter/early spring to reduce risk of injury.

Can you cut hydrangeas down to the ground in the fall?

New Wood Bloomers

It is easy to grow these hydrangeas because they bloom every year regardless of how they are cared for or treated. They can be pruned to the ground in the fall and they will emerge in the spring with bountiful blooms.

Which hydrangeas should not be cut back?

Oakleaf hydrangeas, Hydrangea quercifolia: This native hydrangea features cone-shaped white blooms that turn a beautiful shade of russet in late summer. It, too, blooms on old wood so should not be pruned until after flowering.

Can you over prune hydrangeas?

Sometimes bigleaf hydrangeas become overgrown and need to be trimmed. However, too much pruning will greatly reduce or eliminate flowering. In late summer, after the bloom period, dried flowers can be removed.

What happens if I don't deadhead hydrangeas?

Without going through the deadheading process, hydrangeas will not produce as many flowers and the few produced may not grow as big to their full potential.

Can you deadhead hydrangeas in October?

"Stop deadheading in the fall, when bigleaf hydrangeas produce their last flush of flowers, to enjoy the dried blooms throughout the winter," she says. "These can be removed to help produce healthy buds in the spring."

What should hydrangeas look like in fall?

Mophead hydrangeas look lovely in the fall when their blue, purple and pink flowers contrast with the fall foliage. Brown flowers can be snipped off if they annoy you, but you don't have to remove them. Look for flowers like this to dry or for making Hydrangea Wreaths.

What do hydrangeas need in the fall?

Fall Hydrangea Care: 4 Essential Autumn Jobs For Your Hydrangeas
  • Pick Remaining Flowers. If you're lucky enough to have a few flowers still on the plant, cut them now to bring their beauty indoors. ...
  • Prune. Pruning hydrangeas is not an essential task, and most won't need to be pruned for several years. ...
  • Tidy. ...
  • Mulch.

What do you do with hydrangeas at the end of the season?

Prune fall blooming hydrangeas, or old wood bloomers, after they bloom in the summer. If you prune old wooded hydrangeas in fall, you are cutting off next seasons blooms. Summer blooming hydrangeas, or those that bloom on new wood, are pruned in the fall, after they stop blooming.

Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?

Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon. The reblooming Endless Summer® Hydrangea series prefers part shade. These include BloomStruck®, Endless Summer®, Blushing Bride®, and Twist-n-Shout®.

What does hydrangea look like in winter?

With their vibrant, plump blooms, hydrangeas offer a striking display in the warm weather - but what do they look like in the winter? As the delicate petals fade in the colder months, bright hydrangeas can quickly appear dry and brown - requiring targeted care to get them flowering again in April.

Can you prune hydrangeas anytime?

If it's blue, or blooms in summer

Most of the other hydrangeas should be pruned in summer, once they have finished blooming. Most of these bloom on what's called "old wood" — growth from the year before. If you prune them in early spring, you risk cuting off the dormant flower buds.

Where is the best place to cut hydrangeas?

Regardless of the type of hydrangeas you're growing—and whether it blooms on old or new wood—the cutting process is the same. Start by using clean, sharp shears, then make your cut. "Cut stems above a node, and include at least two leaf groups on the cut stem," says Godshalk.

Can I cut back my hydrangeas in November?

While some plants bloom on new growth, others primarily set flower buds on old wood. Regardless, it is best to wait to prune all hydrangeas until spring. In the fall, hydrangeas (and all trees and shrubs) are in the process of going dormant. They do not produce very much new growth until the following spring.

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