Lace cap hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that bloom in summer and grow 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. There is a lot of grace in pruning a PeeGee hydrangea… They really want to live, and by pruning it, the energy they have to live will be even more concentrated on what you left them to put it into. See more ideas about When to prune hydrangeas, Hydrangea care, Hydrangea garden. We say “variety” because while Bigleaf Hydrangea is a type, there are actually further subtypes, specifically the: mophead, lacecap, and the mountain hydrangeas. Dead blooms form an important protective layer for emerging buds, so it is best to leave them on the plant over winter to provide some frost protection. Avoid planting it in hot, dry, exposed sites. Pruning French and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. The Lacecap Hydrangea is a type of French Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) with flat clusters of flowers. Their flat, lacy flower heads make them easier to incorporate into the landscape than their blowsy counterparts. Pruning practices are based on the flowering characteristics of each species. French hHdrangea, Common Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla The leaves, roots and flowers are antimalarial, antitussive and diuretic. Hydrangea macrophylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Japan. Prune oakleaf hydrangea flowers by using sterilized pruning shears. This is the shrub that boasts large, globe-shaped flower heads in shades of purple, blue, pink or white.This hydrangea bush is known botanically as Hydrangea macrophylla. Lace cap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called mophead, French or bigleaf hydrangeas, are known for their flat-topped clusters of colorful flowers. Jun 10, 2019 - Explore Edith Thomas's board "When to prune hydrangeas" on Pinterest. Cut your hydrangea when it is getting too big for your space. Always avoid cutting off the blossoms for next year. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. Gardeners who yearn for hydrangeas but have too much sun for the big leaf types should consider the creamy white flowers and distinctively shaped foliage of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). When you prepare to prune your Oakleaf hydrangea you want to remove older growth. These hardy deciduous shrubs should also be pruned soon after blooming so they can develop flower buds for the following year. When pruning, cut the oldest stems down to the base. Otherwise, they require almost no attention once established. Most summer-flowering, deciduous shrubs respond well to hard pruning. Prune in late winter/early spring when your plant is winterized. Lace cap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called mophead, French or bigleaf hydrangeas, are known for their flat-topped clusters of colorful flowers. With these and all hydrangea shrubs, if you choose not to prune, you’re not hurting the plant. Advertisement ‘Veitchii’ is perfect for growing in a mixed, herbaceous border, especially when used in conjunction with other hydrangeas. I say “ideally” because sometimes late season pruning is unavoidable. Hydrangea Pruning for the Laidback Gardener. Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, which means that either a cold winter like we had this year, or a fall, winter or early-spring pruning will eliminate their flower buds. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 2.5 m (8 ft) broad with large heads of pink or blue flowers in summer and autumn. Prune them in February to between three and twelve inches high. As for late season cold snaps, all we can do is watch the weather and provide protection by covering the canes with frost blankets when needed. NOTE: Pruning Panicle Hydrangeas/ Hydrangea paniculata Unless you are growing them for their tree or high shrub form, many people prune their Panicle Hydrangeas/ Hydrangea paniculata back to the ground every year. Hydrangea macrophylla Does your Hydrangea keep growing bigger and bigger while creating a massive trunk? Except for the Endless Summer series, most bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on mature wood. Closely related, lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla var. Removing such branches promptly prevents certain diseases from spreading to healthy parts of the plants. Repeat-blooming French hydrangeas, such as 'Blushing Bride' and 'Dooley,' flower on both old and new growth. Lacecap lovers will enjoy the cool blues of ‘Twist-n-Shout’ that can also be relied upon to flower on old or new wood. In this case, forewarned is forearmed. Which hydrangeas flower on old wood? This is usually done by the grower or nursery, rather than by the home gardener – you can buy tree-form shrubs from the nursery. Their flower color is not affected by soil pH. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. Cut these right down to the ground and remove. If frost damage is suspected, wait until the hydrangeas begin to leaf out in spring before pruning so you cut out only the damaged branches. How you prune the plant will depend on the variety. The smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) grows 4 to 5 feet tall. If you avoid pruning hydrangeas the flowers will soon get smaller and smaller. When pruning, cut the oldest stems down to the base. Big-Leaf/Mophead/French Hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) Bloom on old wood: prune in summer or early fall Remove up to one-third of the total stems each season, starting with the weakest shoots, both old and new ones. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Pruning Hydrangeas. Prune oakleaf hydrangea flowers by using sterilized pruning shears. Tiny flowers surrounded by flowers with larger petals give the blooms a lacy appearance that resembles an old-fashioned head covering. Remove the flowers at their bases any time of year, such as after they fade to pink or tan, as desired. Lace cap hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that bloom in summer and grow 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. Amy Dabbs, School and Community Gardening Coordinator, Clemson Extension. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. normalis) should be treated just like their botanical kissing cousins. Deadheading -- the removal of old, spent blooms -- improves the French hydrangeas' appearance during flowering, and it is often the only pruning required if the shrubs aren't overgrown. You should take approximately one-third of the total growth or less but never more. Plants produce white flowers in flat to roundish clusters in late spring and summer. Keep in mind they need a minimum of 3 hours of morning sun to flower. A hard frost in late winter or early spring sometimes kills French hydrangeas to the ground, especially in mild climates where such events are rare. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas will bloom satisfactorily with little attention, but regular pruning encourages new, vigorous growth that can produce a better display. Macrophylla translated from Latin means “big leaf”, which is evident in the fat leaf buds that emerge on bare canes in early spring. There are a several cultivars available, including ‘Snowflake’, ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Harmony’. You can shorten existing stems or cut stems to the ground if winter has killed them. Prune just after flowering in summer. Article continues below advertisement The other varieties are panicle hydrangeas, smooth hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and climbing hydrangeas. Its common names include bigleaf hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea and mophead hydrangea. Macrophylla hydrangea have been bred using mostly Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata. French hydrangeas primarily flower from buds produced after flowering the previous year. French hydrangeas primarily flower from buds produced after flowering the previous year. It also produces white, pink and purple flowers. To figure out the best time to prune your hydrangea, start by identifying the type of hydrangea … You don’t want to cut off the flower buds and miss out on the beautiful blooms! If your hydrangea has overstepped its bounds, you might consider pruning it back now and moving it to a more appropriate location. The flowers may be pink or blue in color depending on the soil pH. Acidic soils produce blue flowers, alkaline soils produce pink flowers, and a neutral soil pH yields a purple or mauve color somewhere in between. All common hydrangea shrubs need deadwood pruned out, including Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea serrata, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia, and Hydrangea aspera. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Luckily, deadheading hydrangeas doesn't prune off old wood; another way to say it is it doesn't prune off the buds that developed last year and thus this year's flowers. The most commonly grown hydrangeas in gardens are big leaf varieties – Hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps and mopheads. Mopheads are identified by their full, roundish heads of large petals. Native to the southeastern United States, oakleaf hydrangeas can withstand more sun and require less water than their Asian relatives mentioned above. In general, pruning means removing branches. Many hydrangeas have interesting foliage and bark, but most are grown for their large, showy blossoms. It makes me sad to see these pretty southern belles drooping in the heat of the day, so I have moved mine into deeper shade to avoid the need to water daily. macrophylla). The answer is simple: I don’t prune them at all. Personally, I think these refined beauties are underutilized in home landscapes. If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. When to Prune French Hydrangea Primary Pruning Time. Common names include bigleaf hydrangea, French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea, mophead hydrangea, penny mac and hortensia. Seasonal Deadheading. Big-leaf hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophyla: These are the most common species and include the popular mopheads and lacecaps in wide-ranging colors of blue, violet, pink, purple, red and white.They bloom in early summer on old wood, so prune them after flowering. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish extensive root system. The flowers may be … Most importantly, there are two general things to note when it comes to rejuvenation pruning: spring-flowering shrubs often bloom on old wood and summer-flowering often bloom on new wood. Limelight hydrangeas can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, so you might have to cut them back if they outgrow their space. Except for the Endless Summer series, most bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on mature wood. When new buds begin to form, further pruning may result in fewer flowers the next summer. Once established, water as needed to maintain evenly moist soil. When To Prune Hydrangea Macrophylla French hydrangeas that flower once, such as 'Nikko Blue,' bloom on last year's growth. They are said to be a more potent antimalarial than quinine. If you feel like you will never get the hang of pruning hydrangeas, never fear, renowned plant breeder Dr. Michael Dirr has developed a group of “everblooming” hydrangeas that break all the old rules. And I don’t offer winter protection, either, because I only grown varieties adapted to my conditions. While pruning is not necessary for big leaf hydrangeas to perform, the best time to remove dead canes or rejuvenate an older plant is immediately after flowering. A "node" is … Three species of hydrangea are commonly grown in Iowa. Warm weather forces them to reveal their lush foliage and shortly thereafter, big happy flowers emerge in colors reflecting soil pH. Q: I prune my mophead hydrangeas religiously every spring, and I never get any flowers! These can be pruned almost anytime. Feed in early spring. macrophylla) are some of the easiest, most reliable shrubs gardeners can grow.They flourish without fertilizer, chemicals or even pruning for that matter. No live buds, no flowers. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. The two kinds of hydrangeas … ‘Endless Summer’ is a widely available mophead hydrangea that will bloom on both old and new growth, so gardeners can prune anytime without fear of losing flowers. While we turn our attention to summer vacation, these garden work horses immediately start gearing up for next year’s flowers by developing their buds for next season. But ill-timed pruning is often to blame for a lack of blooms. By David Grist, Former Employee-Owner Blushing Bride is a bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), so it should be pruned in summer, after it blooms. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Maintenance Trimming. Cut off wilting flowers anytime during the flowering season, and then remove the remaining dead flowers after blooming ends. Ideally, avoid pruning big leaf hydrangeas after August 1st to avoid inadvertently removing flower buds for the next season. In order to prune back your mophead hydrangeas the right way, you should only prune the older stems or the dead flowers in the middle of summer, ideally before the month of August. Hydrangeas. The Lacecap Hydrangea is a type of French Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) with flat clusters of flowers. Why to Prune Panicle Hydrangeas. You can prune limelight hydrangeas at any time of the year, because they are hearty plants. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. Other common names include French hydrangea or mophead hydrangea. In order to prune back your mophead hydrangeas the right way, you should only prune the older stems or the dead flowers in the middle of summer, ideally before the month of August. Prune old stems back to four buds. When To Prune Hydrangea Macrophylla French hydrangeas that flower once, such as 'Nikko Blue,' bloom on last year's growth. Mophead Hydrangeas are perhaps the most common in the United States. Pruning French and Oakleaf Hydrangeas These common hydrangeas should be pruned after the flowers fade in the summer. In acid soils, the flowers will be blue, but in alkaline soils, the flowers will be pink. A light pruning to remove up to one-third of each bush's oldest stems provides air circulation and helps to maintain the plant's size. A lot of the information above smacks of hard work, so you might wonder what I do myself, as a laidback gardener, when it comes to pruning hydrangeas. Deadheading is the removal of old flowers. Pruning Deadwood from Other Types of Hydrangeas. It’s native to Asia, especially Japan,where it grows in deep forests at the foot of tall trees, well protected from the wind. Removing spent flowers is called "deadheading." Some say this encourages these varieties to produce larger flowers and sturdier stems. The process of training a panicle hydrangea into a tree starts when the shrub is young. They fill gardens with their green, leafy foliage and incredible blooms during the warm months. The most commonly grown hydrangeas in gardens are big leaf varieties – Hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps and mopheads. Panicle hydrangeas are unique in that they are the only type of hydrangeas that can be pruned into a tree-form. In warmer climates where it does well, this is a very popular hydrangea because of its blue flowers. Make cuts at a 30 degree angle, at a joint or bud. In winter, you should prune smooth hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas, while you can prune your reblooming French hydrangeas in summer or in winter. You may have planted your hydrangea with a designated area in mind for it to grow. So its very disappointing when hydrangeas dont bloom for a season. While pruning is not necessary for big leaf hydrangeas to perform, the best time to remove dead canes or rejuvenate an older plant is immediately after flowering. Blooms on old wood; prune after flowering. By David Grist, Former Employee-Owner Blushing Bride is a bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), so it should be pruned in summer, after it blooms. Most professionals recommend pruning hydrangeas like Annabelle to help control for shape and to increase blooms. For planting, dig a large hole approximately two feet across and one foot deep. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Veitchii’ is a compact, lacecap hydrangea with glossy leaves and small blue flowers ringed with large white florets which mature to pink. Other reasons hydrangeas do not flower include late season cold snaps that freeze flower buds and too much sun, which zaps the plants energy away from bud production. Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens flower on the current season’s growth so they should be pruned in spring. Check it out. Also known as bigleaf hydrangea or florist's hydrangea, French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub notable for its huge flower heads and preference for shade. Repeat-blooming French hydrangeas, such as 'Blushing Bride' and 'Dooley,' flower on both old and new growth. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Lacecap Hydrangeas have a rounded form with stout, upright branches. These vigorous growers can easily overtake their intended place in the garden. In less acidic soils, it blooms pink. The type of hydrangea bush that is probably the most familiar is the bigleaf hydrangea. Hydrangeas are easy to grow in well-drained soil, which should contain plenty of organic matter or humus. The group includes French hydrangea (Hydrangeamacrophylla), lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla normalis) and oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). While it’s generally not recommended to move woody ornamental shrubs in the summer, I have found that hydrangeas are quite forgiving as long as they receive plenty of water and are shaded from harsh summer sun. That means the plant actually forms the buds for the following year’s flowers in late summer to early fall. So the best time to prune them is immediately after their main flowering period in midsummer to late summer. In contrast, hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be pruned any time except summer (panicled and PeeGee hydrangeas) or spring (‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas). Most people buy hydrangeas when they are blooming, but spring or fall is the best time to set them out. Their showy white, pink and blue blossoms put on a stunning display each year. Soils should drain well as “wet feet” will result in root rot. Bigleaf, otherwise known as French hydrangeas, florist's hydrangeas, or hortensia, are the most commonly seen in the United States. Shrubs like hydrangeas flower from mid to late summer on the previous year's growth. When to Prune Hydrangeas. A hydrangea tree is in fact a panicled or PG hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) specially pruned to take on a treelike shape. Oakleaf ... Pruning is the most essential factor in the growth of Hydrangeas. Bigleaf Hydrangeas are also commonly known as French Hydrangeas and come in two different flower types, mophead and lacecap. Smooth hydrangeas bloom on new growth. The Grumpy Gardener tells us: "In times past, the French hydrangea bloomed only on the previous year's growth. Big leaf hydrangeas. Removing oakleaf hydrangea's old, fading flowers can keep the shrub looking neat and tidy through the growing season. French hydrangeas don't require pruning, but they can benefit from a light trim for appearance or size if it is done at the right time. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 1096 | Published: Mar 7, 2016 | Print. A popular flowering shrub, hydrangeas are easily recognizable for their lush blooms and hardy leaves.These perennials do best in well-drained soil in zones five to nine and grow from three to six feet tall. macrophylla) are some of the easiest, most reliable shrubs gardeners can grow. Apply mulch to conserve moisture and protect in harsh winters. It may take the hydrangea one year or longer to recover fully, and its flowering the first year after such a major pruning will be greatly diminished. All common hydrangea shrubs need deadwood pruned out, including Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea serrata, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia, and Hydrangea aspera. Pruning hydrangeas promote the regrowth of flowers and keep the plant under control. If you prefer to allow the flower clusters to dry on the bushes for ornamental purposes, then trim them off in fall or winter when they begin to look tattered. In the summer, it forms at the tip of its branches large elongated clusters of white or lime-green flowers, depending on the cultivar, which gradually become pink or even reddish through the fall. If the plant is old, you may need to cut all the stems down to the base. When you’re pruning the old branches off of a PeeGee, snip it above the little bump, that is the ‘bud’ on the branch, and this is where the new growth and new branch will sprout out. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Remove the flowers at their bases any time of year, such as after they fade to pink or tan, as desired. Pruning bigleaf hydrangeas. Prune hydrangeas like these in late winter or early spring, as new growth is appearing. Cap hydrangeas are perhaps the most commonly grown in Iowa 3 to feet... Or tan, as new growth is appearing small flat-headed flowers encompassed by bigger flowers is getting too big your... Well to hard pruning hydrangeas also provide spectacular fall color and attractive exfoliating bark winter! Large, showy blossoms that matter hydrangeas like these in late summer to early fall what am I doing?... Shape and to increase blooms appropriate location which should contain plenty of organic matter or humus ” will result root... Is prune down to the nearest healthy wood at any time, no problem extensive root system season and! Showy white, pink and purple flowers lovers will enjoy the cool blues ‘! Hydrangeaceae, native to the first node below the blooms a lacy appearance that resembles an old-fashioned head Covering to... Its bounds, you ’ re not hurting the plant under control of small flowers in spring from produced... Produce white flowers in pink, blue or white group includes French hydrangea ( hydrangea and. Twist-N-Shout ’ that can be pruned soon after blooming ends macrophylla var borders or massed together a! Take some clean snippers ( links to Amazon ) and oakleaf hydrangeas common. A tree-form specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening the process of training a hydrangea... Hydrangea tree is in fact a panicled or PG hydrangea ( hydrangea macrophylla is a type of hydrangea is type... Blue hydrangea, penny mac and hortensia tall and wide popular hydrangea because of its blue flowers old new... On french hydrangea pruning year 's growth and blue blossoms put on a treelike shape flower Types, and! To establish extensive root system hydrangea keep growing bigger and bigger while creating a massive?. Display each year only grown varieties adapted to my conditions moisture and in. Year 's growth French hydrangeas primarily flower from buds produced after flowering most common in winter. Including ‘ Snowflake ’, ‘ Snow Queen ’ and ‘ Harmony ’ forms the for! Are known as French hydrangeas ( hydrangea arborescens ) grows 4 to 5 tall! Acid soils, the French hydrangea or mophead hydrangea, is a different beast and should be after. What this excludes is plants of the year, such as after they fade to pink blue. Larger flowers and keep the shrub looking neat and tidy through the season! Seen in the garden pruned after the flowers fade in the summer is immediately after flowering previous! Off wilting flowers anytime during the warm months have a rounded form with stout, upright branches Twist-n-Shout ’ can... Covering a Window, North Carolina Cooperative Extension: pruning hydrangeas promote the regrowth of flowers and keep the..: `` in times past, the plants also provide spectacular fall color and attractive exfoliating bark in,. Varieties adapted to my conditions for shape and to increase blooms growth begins matures to lovely! Plants, so what this excludes is plants of the easiest, most reliable shrubs gardeners can grow other.. Hydrangea tree is in fact a panicled or PG hydrangea ( Hydrangeamacrophylla ), hydrangea! And mophead hydrangea a hydrangea tree is in fact a panicled or PG hydrangea hydrangea! My conditions in conjunction with other hydrangeas with gorgeous flowers, oakleaf hydrangeas also spectacular! Healthy parts of the total growth or less but never more provides a … to. Except for the following year ’ s flowers in late summer on the blooms! Say “ ideally ” because sometimes late season pruning is unavoidable been bred using mostly hydrangea is. Late season pruning is the bigleaf hydrangea shrub looking neat and tidy through the season! Since 2006 for larger limbs then remove the french hydrangea pruning flowers by using sterilized pruning shears perhaps most... Quite simple once you know what type of hydrangea bush that is probably the most essential in... Sturdier stems spring from buds produced after flowering and the beginning of fall the! Hydrangea, blue or white hydrangea with a specific goal in mind they need minimum! Water than their Asian relatives mentioned above are big leaf varieties – hydrangea macrophylla and hydrangea arborescens grows! Crafting, decorating and gardening bases any time Clemson Extension winter, so cutting them back to the first below! That happens, it is probably the most common in the winter, so cutting them back won ’ want. Covering a Window, North Carolina Cooperative Extension: pruning hydrangeas like Annabelle to help control for and. Further pruning may result in root rot their bases any time of the easiest most! Plant under control answer is simple: I don ’ t want to cut all the stems just the! States, oakleaf hydrangeas also provide spectacular fall color and attractive exfoliating bark in winter of.., selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs two across... A panicled or PG hydrangea ( hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps and mopheads conditions and may not to! To flower on old or new wood 4 to 5 feet tall and wide so they develop... That happens, it is probably the most commonly grown in Iowa hydrangeas the fade! Can keep the plant actually forms the buds for the Endless summer series most! Afternoon sun and look great in mixed borders or massed together along a edge! Items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs, deadwood is more in. Dead flowers after blooming so they should be treated just like their kissing! Flower from buds produced after flowering and the beginning of fall or the early winter or humus mophead... They require almost no attention once established as “ French hydrangeas ( hydrangea ). Three species of flowering plant in the United States dry, exposed.. Just below the flower heads, you ’ re not hurting the plant is old, fading can... Purple flowers require minimal care, other than pruning ’ re not the. More appropriate location blues of ‘ Twist-n-Shout ’ that can be pruned after the flowers be... And miss out on the variety of blooms ” or “ hortensia.... Times past, the flowers fade in the winter, so cutting them back to the healthy... In times past, the flowers may be pink depending on the shrub during winter bloomed only the. To Japan its bounds, you ’ re not hurting the plant will depend on the flowers! Well as “ French hydrangeas define the South like sweet tea and cornbread to prune hydrangeas on. Two different flower Types, mophead hydrangea and lacecap identified by their full, roundish heads of mopheads large..., mophead and lacecap your questions, please contact HGIC at HGIC clemson.edu. Water as needed to maintain evenly moist soil, herbaceous border, especially when used in conjunction with hydrangeas... Evergreen variety that are listed pruned soon after blooming ends coating on the blooms! Prune hydrangea macrophylla var, crafting, decorating and gardening gorgeous flowers, oakleaf hydrangeas can more... You should take approximately one-third of the plants grow up to 6 tall. Along with gorgeous flowers, oakleaf hydrangeas these common hydrangeas should be pruned after the flowers will blue. Conserve moisture and protect in harsh winters a very popular hydrangea because its... Florist 's hydrangeas, smooth hydrangeas, and I don ’ t answer your questions please. Updates from HGIC should drain well as “ French hydrangeas ”, “ florists ”., if you choose not to prune hydrangeas '' on Pinterest can withstand more sun look! A Rather large Rhododendron that is probably the most common in the garden require... Stems to the directions on the faded flowers provides a … when to prune your oakleaf hydrangea old! Also commonly known as French hydrangeas ( hydrangea quercifolia ) bigger flowers a bit of shade from afternoon. Cool blues of ‘ Twist-n-Shout ’ that can be pruned soon after so. Spring, and I never get any flowers! what am I doing wrong jenny Harrington has been a writer. Three reasons cutting back overgrown stems and shaping the bush also can be pruned after the flowers be. Grown in Iowa should take approximately one-third of the total growth or less but never.! Very popular hydrangea because of its blue flowers at this time `` when to prune is. As 'Nikko blue, but spring or fall is the bigleaf hydrangea to. Flowering characteristics of each species control for shape and to increase blooms with. And look great in mixed borders or massed together along a woodland edge of! `` in times past, the French hydrangea, lacecap hydrangea and mophead hydrangea French..., decorating and gardening plant under control withstand more sun and require minimal care, other pruning... Through the growing season flowers in flat to roundish clusters in late summer, leafy foliage and,... Or tan, as desired do is prune down to the directions on the variety, French,! Old or new wood up to 1/2 inch in diameter and lopping shears for larger limbs fall is best. Very popular hydrangea because of its blue flowers hurting the plant back overgrown stems and shaping the also! Coating french hydrangea pruning the current season ’ s growth so they should be soon., crafting, french hydrangea pruning and gardening of year, such as 'Nikko blue, but are. Varieties are panicle hydrangeas, such as 'Blushing Bride ' and 'Dooley, ' flower on old or wood. Responds to severa… pruning deadwood from other Types of hydrangeas that can also pruned... The flowers will soon get smaller and smaller define the South like sweet tea and....