How to Prune Hydrangeas

6 types

how to prune hydrangeas

Pruning is a crucial aspect of caring for hydrangeas, ensuring they maintain their shape and produce bountiful blooms. Knowing what type of hydrangea you have, along with how and when to prune these beloved flowering shrubs is one of the keys to success. Our gardening experts have put together a quick guide, teaching the best way to prune each of the six types of hydrangeas we grow here at Petitti’s.

The difference

old vs. new wood

Old wood refers to the woody stems left year after year. These are the stems that are left once all of the foliage has fallen from the plant. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood set their buds for the following spring on these stems, which is why it’s important to provide winter protection.

New wood refers to fresh growth produced each spring once the hydrangea comes out of winter dormancy.

How to Prune

Mophead or Bigleaf Hydrangeas

Older varieties bloom only on old wood. Newer varieties bloom on both old and new wood, so you’ll want to prune them lightly in the spring as new green growth appears, removing only the stems that have sustained winter damage. Prune down to the uppermost buds that are forming. Remove any silver-skinned, brittle, or unproductive branches down to the ground (this wood is telling you that it’s dead). Leave alone any woody stems or sections of woody stems that are sprouting fresh green buds or leaf growth (this wood is telling you that it’s alive & well).

Blooms on old & new wood.

How to Prune

Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, setting flower buds reliably every single spring, no matter what. If you take a moment to prune them back in late winter/early spring, you’ll be rewarded with fuller branching & growth, more blooms, and an overall stronger hydrangea.

Shrubs | Cut back in late winter/early spring down to 6-12” tall.

Trees | Cut back in late winter/early spring to about the size & shape of a basketball.

Blooms on new wood.

How to prune

mountain hydrangeas

Newer varieties bloom on both old and new wood, so you’ll want to prune them lightly in the spring as new green growth appears, removing only the stems that have sustained winter damage. Prune down to the uppermost buds that are forming. Remove any silver-skinned, brittle, or unproductive branches down to the ground (this wood is telling you that it’s dead). Leave alone any woody stems or sections of woody stems that are sprouting fresh green buds or leaf growth (this wood is telling you that it’s alive & well).

Blooms on old & new wood.

How to prune

smooth hydrangeas

Cut back in late winter/early spring down to 6-12” tall. New wood-blooming types set flower buds reliably every single spring, no matter what. If you take a moment to prune them back, you’ll be rewarded with fuller branching & growth, more blooms, and an overall stronger hydrangea.

Blooms on new wood.

How to prune

Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so you’ll want to prune them lightly in the spring as new green growth appears, removing only the stems that have sustained winter damage. Prune down to the uppermost buds that are forming. Remove any silver-skinned, brittle, or unproductive branches down to the ground (this wood is telling you that it’s dead). Leave alone any woody stems or sections of woody stems that are sprouting fresh green buds or leaf growth (this wood is telling you that it’s alive & well).

Blooms on old wood.

How to prune

climbing hydrangeas

Climbing hydrangea bloom on old wood, so you’ll want to prune them in the early spring as new green growth appears, removing winter damage, dead stems, and any runaway branches. Prune early spring to manage size too.

Blooms on old wood.

Hydrangea Pruning

Tips & Tricks

If you need to reduce the size of your old wood-blooming hydrangea, only hard prune it in July, which is right before new buds begin to develop (they bring next year’s flowers!).

Weak, diseased, damaged, or dead stems can and should be removed at any time (i.e. those bare “sticks” you see poking out of your hydrangea!).

bringing it all together

like a boss

Whether you’re a hydrangea enthusiast or new to gardening and trying hydrangeas for the first time, learning how to properly prune each type will help these beautiful flowering shrubs flourish in the landscape.

Search for Your Location

We have ten locations across Northeast Ohio, spanning the Cleveland, Akron-Canton, and Youngstown communities. Search here to find the location most convenient for you.

Loading Locations...