Pruning Group 4

Hydrangea Pruning

Shrub that flower mid to late summer of the previous years growth. Some hydrangeas will grow and flower with little attention but with the right pruning you can encourage new growth and better flowering.

When to prune -

• Dead head pruning once the flowers go over - Avoid doing this too near to winter to avoid frost damage.

• Woody pruning in late winter/early spring

• Or for climbing Hydrangeas prune after flowering in summer

What to prune -

• Dead head as flowers go over (see when to prune

• branches are diseased, damaged or dead (the three Ds).

• branches are congested or crossing each other.

• branches are growing in unwanted directions (e.g. in toward the centre of the plant)

• branches that are weak or spindly in order to promote stronger growth in others

• Cut out old branches at the base at the base to encourage new growth

Climbing Hydrangeas

• Prune back overlong shoot after flowering

• Flowering occurs at the top of the plant so try and keep that as unpruned as possible

• Too vigorous pruning will damage flower production