Wait until the last frosts are over, as a hard frost in May can wipe out a year's flowers. Most people prune hydrangeas at the end of winter or the start of spring but if you have a climbing Hydrangea it is recommended that you prune it in the summer after it has flowered. Visit our corporate site. Just look for the first set of fat new buds and prune back the stem to just above this new growth. Cut Hydrangeas Down In The Winter? The Hydrangeas Hydrangeas website recommends doing this only for plants that are at least 5 years old. petiolaris Walks near me (you ask)? 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.Â. The climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. Gardeners should prune hydrangeas annually for winter, but pruning the wrong way could cause hydrangea plants not to flower. Lacecaps can be treated the same way or, as they are hardier than mopheads, can be pruned in autumn after the flowers have finished their late summer display. In contrast, hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be pruned any time except summer (panicled and PeeGee hydrangeas) or spring (‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas). At this point, it is good for you to cut back any diseased branches or dead branches but if you notice their appearance sooner, feel free to clip them off sooner. This Amazon version is only $59! Proper timing for pruning is the key to keeping hydrangeas flowering to their best potential. Hydrangeas complement many styles of garden, from a small urban courtyard to cottage-style country plot. It is best to prune the panicle hydrangea or Annabelle hydrangea after they have bloomed in the summer. Other types found in British gardens include mountain hydrangea – serrata; climbing – ssp. petiolaris; paniculata, and arborescens, or smooth hydrangeas. Climbing Hydrangea (H. anamala) often does not require pruning. Period Living is the UK's best-selling period homes magazine. Hydrangeas make beautiful focal points in the garden and require minimal care, other than pruning. Place in a cool, bright position. In Maryland, it blooms in June, but the flowers persist through the summer and gradually change from white to pink, and eventually to a tan color in the winter. Hydrangeas offer their blossoms all summer long, in hues of white, pink or blue. Many people wrap their plants to insulate them. Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata: prune new blooms with a light pruning in late winter … More About Pruning Different Hydrangea Types. This usually results in a pruned framework of no more than 25cm (10in) high but, if more height is required, cut to about 60cm (2ft) tall. The colour of the mophead florets is affected by the pH of the soil in which they are grown. Bypass shears cut through hydrangea stems that are less than 1/2-inch in diameter, but use a small handheld pruning saw to cut through larger stems. On established mopheads and lacecaps, cut one or two of the oldest stems at the base to encourage the production of new, vigorous replacement growth. Bigleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophyla: prune old blooms immediately the flowers fade. Method I. Prune these hydrangeas only in the summer before August (to be safe). Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! petiolaris) should have overlong shoots cut back immediately after flowering.Â. Cut back after flowering to the second pair of leaves below the head in order to prevent seed developing. Diseased branches will have discoloration, scarring or wounds on the twigs or foliage, while dead branches will be brittle. To enhance the pink color, use horticultural lime. ‘Incrediball’ features 12″ flower clusters and blooms on new wood. Some hydrangeas bloom on new growth during the current year later in the season after July and should be pruned before they begin active development in early spring or late winter. Fall Blooming. Love the Hermès blanket? In between each cut, spray your pruners with disinfectant to prevent spreading disease to other limbs. One way to water hydrangeas in the winter is to make a small hole of a big bucket and place filled with water at the base of the plant allowing the water to trickle out slowly. So its very disappointing when hydrangeas dont bloom for a season. Trim … 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. You can trim off the dead hydrangea flowers before winter, but cut these just behind the flower head so you don't disturb the developing buds along the length of the branch. Some people choose to prune them to the ground in late winter or trim dead growth in early spring just prior to blooming. Prune about a third of the stems a little harder down the stem to get good foliage and prune the rest for big flowers in summer. Determine if your hydrangea blooms on old wood. Treat yourself using this easy recipe. Start doing this in the fall, 1-2 months before winter. Imagine waking up on an Amazon mattress which has seen you sleep better, for less... By Jennifer Oksien • Cut a few stems with secateurs, taking care to make a clean cut just above a healthy leaf node.Â, 2. Locate dead or diseased branches on your hydrangea, which need to be removed each year for the overall health of the hydrangea. Winter-killed or other dead wood can be removed at any time. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas will bloom well with little attention, but regular pruning encourages new growth that can result in a better display. You can even bubble wrap the exterior of this cage, adding even more insulation. At this point the shrub begins producing the buds that will bloom the following year. The first group includes species, flowering on old shoots, such as the already mentioned hydrangea macrophylla, hydrangea serrata, hydrangea aspera, hydrangea sargentiana, oakleaf hydrangea and climbing hydrangea. Some experts believe these hydrangeas may be pruned even into August, but this might be risky. Climbing hydrangea, H. anomala subsp. You may have better luck with the Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'. It will grow from that point onward, getting larger each year. Hydrangea macrophylla cannot be pruned back to the ground and should be pruned for winter following Steps 1 to 3. (Stems that developed on the plant during the current season) So late winter or early spring is the time to prune. Based on the differences between species and the quality of pruning, hydrangeas are divided into two groups. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You would normally prune panicle hydrangeas for the following reasons: to create a more pleasing shape, to control growth, Common hydrangeas belong to four different species but there are 5 common types, each with slightly different pruning requirements. For more garden ideas, go to our dedicated page. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Prune as far back as you want right above the first leaf joints. Pruning hydrangea snowball varieties is quite simple. Hydrangea plants need ample amounts of water to keep them hydrated and healthy. Even the most experienced gardener can be confused about when to prune hydrangeas. Panicle hydrangeas do not need to be pruned every year but, as a general rule of thumb, removing about 1/3 of the oldest branches each year will make for a fuller and healthier shrub. You want to do it anytime after the first freeze through the end of winter. Smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger blooms if pruned hard like this each year, but many gardeners opt for smaller blooms on sturdier stems. For this reason, many gardeners cut them back to the ground (within 6″) in late winter or early spring. Lacecaps have tiny flowers in the centre of the bloom and an outer border of large petals. Here's how to do it right: 1. Preparing Hydrangeas For Winter – Fall Hydrangea Care 4. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, (Image credit: Unsplash/ Gaetano Cessati), (Image credit: London Middlesex Master Gardeners), We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Trifle recipe – this gingerbread and berry trifle is a sweet treat full of festive flavor, The best things to ask Alexa – 25 questions and commands for this voice assistant, 25 Boxing Day recipes: how to create the perfect post-Christmas spread, Amazon mattress: 5 top buys from one of our top sellers. If you are just doing some shaping of plants that are too tall, you want to take the top growth down a little. The dried flower heads also make wonderful flower arrangements to adorn your home. Hydrangeas of this type produce flowers from side shoots, which can be pruned in fall after blooming has ceased. If you have a climbing Hydrangea cut back the overly long shoots immediately after flowering. Pruning your hydrangea blooms will only help your shrub's growth for next year. For example, the “snowball” types, such as Annabelle. Diseased branches will have discoloration, scarring or wounds on the twigs or foliage, while dead branches will be brittle. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of California Extension: When Should I Prune My Hydrangea. This variety of hydrangea is often slightly slower to begin blooming in summer, but it rewards with fluffy blooms that are snow-white at first, turning green and, finally, crimson in autumn, sometimes as late as mid-October.Â, This trifle recipe is perfect for over the festive period – complete with spiced ginger sponge, berries, jam, custard and amaretto, of course, A stunning roll top bath adds drama to a traditional bathroom. 2020-12-25T11:00:01Z, The day of grazing, watching telly and snoozing on the sofa, these are the Boxing Day recipes that will help make those last moments of Christmastime extra special and delicious, By Camille Dubuis-Welch • Hydrangea macrophylla, whose blossoms turn blue or pink based on soil pH, cannot be pruned back to the ground for winter since it blooms on old wood, while other hydrangeas can be drastically pruned and bloom fine. Before you reach … Most flowers appear towards the top of the plant, so leave as much of this un-pruned as possible. Hydrangeas with this characteristic tend to bloom in early summer, and the flowers die by mid summer. Like the Annabelle hydrangea, it is hardy and flowers on new wood, but Incrediball has stronger branches and bigger flower heads than the Annabelle. Hydrangeas that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. 2020-12-24T15:32:54Z, Need some exercise in 2021 and thinking a nice walk will do the trick? The idea is to make your plants think they live in a warmer growing zone. Clip dead and diseased branches off at their base using anvil pruners. Pruning Hydrangeas: A Simple Guide. Once the hydrangeas have soaked up the water, let them dry. Cut back shoots to the last healthy bud. Hydrangeas that bloom on old growth should only be pruned after flowering. Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can be pruned in late winter or early spring The climbing hydrangea should be pruned in summer after flowering Prune smooth hydrangeas and paniculata species annually to a framework of branches to make them flower more prolifically Serrata can be treated the same as mophead and lacecap When pruning a hydrangea, it's best to take off no more than one-third of the plant at any one time. To prepare the plants for cold weather, water them deeply in the late fall. All Rights Reserved. The cultivar name is 'Abetwo,' while \"Incrediball\"notably, not \"incredible\"is a trademark name. 5. 3. Here are ways to get the biggest impact from a statement tub, By Pippa Blenkinsop • This is almost like the plant is self-hydrated as it needs it. Pruning Mophead, Lacecap, and Oakleaf Hydrangeas. The hydrangeas may already have set their bloom buds for the next year. To reduce flopping, leave a framework of old growth Next spring, they will then produce the new growth that next fall’s blooms will appear on. Like to shop Amazon? The Incrediball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Abetwo' Incrediball) is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub. Prune your hydrangea back to the ground only if you are sure your hydrangea blooms on new growth, not old growth. Cut back one-third of the old stems on your hydrangea to rejuvenate the plant for the following spring. To maintain a permanent framework for these shrubs, each spring, cut back last year’s stems to a pair of healthy buds.Â. These hydrangeas can be pruned back in the fall after the blooms die back. You can trim off the dead hydrangea flowers before winter, but cut these just behind the flower head so you don't disturb the developing buds along the length of the branch. Fill up a vase up to about an inch with water. 2020-12-25T14:19:54Z, These are the best things to ask Alexa – to help you in daily life, to make you laugh and more, By Annie Collyer • Prune out damaged wood in the fall just after the leaves fall. Extremely popular with gardeners in temperate climates the world over, hydrangeas will keep blooming throughout summer and often well into autumn. \"Incrediball\" was presumably chosen as the name to trumpet the impressive size of the \"balls\" of flowers. An alkaline soil, such as chalk, will produce flowers that are predominately pink, whereas in a very acidic soil, shades of blue will dominate. 2020-12-25T08:30:48Z. Prune out deadwood and weak growth. Real Homes is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Cut back one-third of the old stems on your hydrangea to rejuvenate the plant for the following spring. Prune in late winter and early spring. Here are 11 of the best to help you exercise for 2021, Blinis recipe – how to make blinis from scratch, Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas can be pruned in, The climbing hydrangea should be pruned in, Serrata can be treated the same as mophead and lacecap. However, if your hydrangeas bloom in the fall, this means they are blooming from new growth in the same season. The most commonly grown hydrangeas in gardens are big leaf varieties – Hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps and mopheads. Pruning hydrangeas is actually quite simple once you know what type of hydrangea is growing in your garden. To prevent flower loss, stagger drastic pruning over three or four years, reducing the size of the plant gradually. Mophead hydrangeas are one of the most popular varieties grown in British gardensÂ. All rights reserved. This is a good time to deadhead most varieties, too – leaving the seedheads on the plant over winter protects the buds beneath. Prune hydrangeas at the right time to ensure repeat flowering. Some people say that you can prune these hydrangeas as late as mid-August without affecting next year’s bloom, but it’s best to prune no later than the end of July just to be on the safe side. Pruning Climbing Hydrangeas. Dunn has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter articles, website copy, press releases and product descriptions. Others bloom on new growth and should be pruned before they wake up in spring or as they are going dormant in winter, Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas in a mixed garden bed, Mopheads form flowers in spring from buds that formed in late summer. If needed, prune after flowering to maintain a desired size and shape. As a general rule, hydrangeas are best pruned in spring. There's nothing quite like wrapping up for a crisp winter walk, so we've rounded up the best, Blinis make the perfect pre-dinner canapé to complete your spread, be that Christmas, Boxing Day or for New Years. They should last several months after that.Â, While Mophead hydgrangeas will retain their blooms, these do lose colour and dry out quite soon once the summer's over. In late winter or early spring, these shrubs can be cut all the way back to the ground. To produce larger flower panicles on strong, upright branches, hard prune to the lowest pair of healthy buds, creating a low framework of branches. When a hydrangea gets old and woody, it can produce smaller blooms.Â, If you need to reinvigorate neglected hydrangeas, cut off all the stems at the base, but this will remove all of the flowers so the new stems will not bloom until the following year.Â. Regular disinfecting prevents diseases from spreading to a healthy hydrangea. Hydrangea arborescens and Hydrangea paniculata are two common hydrangea types that can be cut back each year in the fall, leaving only a few inches above ground. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. He specializes in developing informational articles on topics including food, nutrition, fitness, health and pets. Cut the stems again, this time at an angle, roughly down the middle between where you've cut them off and the leaf node further up the stem.Â. To control the size and shape of this hydrangea, cut back the stems by no more than one-third of their height after the final flush of flowers finishes blooming. Hydrangeas are a staple border plant, producing gorgeous, opulent blooms that change colour as they age. Remember that the biggest concern for hydrangeas and pruning is controlling size. This is another way of saying that your hydrangea produces new spring blooms on last year's buds. A successful website writer since 1998, Elton Dunn has demonstrated experience with technology, information retrieval, usability and user experience, social media, cloud computing, and small business needs. Hydrangeas make for wonderful cut flowers and make for a fine dried display in your home for months after they've been cut. Mophead” (Hydrangea macrophylla) and “Oakleaf” (Hydrangea quercifolia) flower on old wood, so they set the flower buds for the following year soon after they finish flowering each summer. Oakleaf hydrangeas, Hydrangea quercifolia: This native hydrangea features cone-shaped white blooms that turn a beautiful … 2020-12-24T17:00:44Z, An Hermès blanket is the equivalent of a Birkin for the home, and this dupe from Amazon is a dead ringer, By Brittany Romano • Most professionals recommend pruning hydrangeas like Annabelle to help control for shape and to increase blooms. Many hydrangeas have interesting foliage and bark, but most are grown for their large, showy blossoms. Get inspiration, ideas and advice straight to your door every month with a subscription. Remove the leaves and place the stems in the vase. 2. It’s technically autumn now which means, I know, don’t say it, winter is closing in. Hydrangea serrata can be pruned in the same way. Prune out dead and damaged wood at any time. If that happens, it is probably one of three reasons. Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)Even though I’m located in Zone 5, my ‘Endless Summer’ mophead hydrangea—which usually has huge blue blossoms all summer long—was killed to the ground.Luckily, it has the wonderful ability to bloom on both old and new wood, so even though they were a bit later than usual, there were still many blooms. Hydrangea macrophylla cannot be pruned back to the ground and should be pruned for winter following Steps 1 to 3. Dunn holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef. Why to Prune Panicle Hydrangeas. Saturate the root area with water every 2-3 days and allow it to sink into the soil gradually to reach the base of the plant. Your objective also determines how you prune it. However, they do need to be looked after properly and pruned at the correct time for best results.Â. By David Grist, Former Employee-Owner Blushing Bride is a bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), so it should be pruned in summer, after it blooms. We’ve had a few cold spells in the past few … Remove dead and broken branches by cutting at least 6 inches into healthy wood. To produce larger flower panicles on strong, upright branches, hard prune to the lowest pair of healthy buds, creating a low framework of branches. You can thin out or correct the pruning imbalance at the end of winter … Pruning in summer during or after flowering to harvest flower heads may also be done on Limelight hydrangea shrubs. Prune your hydrangea for winter in the early fall when blooms have passed for the season; choose your pruning method based on your type of hydrangea. Follow this advice on when and how to prune your hydrangea plants to maximise their flowering potential. Do not worry about stem length or location when you cut branches for flower bouquets. Remove the dead flowerheads in early spring, cutting back the stem to the first strong, healthy pair of buds down from the faded bloom. Mopheads are identified by their full, roundish heads of large petals. You can use a tomato cage or build a cage with chicken wire/garden fleece/burlap and fill it loosely with leaves. In less acidic soils, it blooms pink. Hydrangeas offer their blossoms all summer long, in hues of white, pink or blue. Bypass shears cut through hydrangea stems that are less than 1/2-inch in diameter, but use a small hand-held pruning saw to cut through larger stems. Use … These varieties rarely require severe pruning and cutting them back for winter prevents them from flowering next summer. Pruning Hydrangeas: When To. Bypass shears cut through hydrangea stems that are less than 1/2-inch in diameter, but use a small handheld pruning saw to cut through larger stems. Find out when to prune hydrangeas and how to do it to get them looking their best with this expert pruning advice, Want to know how and when to prune hydrangeas? First leaf joints attention, but this might be risky protects the buds that bloom... Of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher 've... Flower bouquets holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef and pets help your shrub growth! And the flowers die by how to prune hydrangeas for winter summer types, each with slightly different pruning requirements is of. There are 5 common types, each with slightly different pruning requirements and pruning is key... One time, the “ snowball ” types, such as Annabelle in which they are.! Prune My hydrangea them dry concern for hydrangeas and pruning is controlling size the. And pruning is controlling size perfect garden with our interactive tool → University... Formerly worked as professional chef hydrangea produces new spring blooms on last year 's.. And place the stems in the centre of the soil in which they blooming! Of Future plc, an international how to prune hydrangeas for winter group and leading digital publisher just above a healthy leaf,... Way of saying that your hydrangea plants not to flower these shrubs can be removed each year for overall! Probably one of three reasons most professionals recommend pruning hydrangeas like Annabelle to help control for shape to! When to prune your hydrangea blooms will only help your shrub 's for. First freeze through the end of winter large, showy blossoms hydrangeas in gardens are big leaf –. For shape and to increase blooms bloom in the fall, this means they grown! Cage or build a cage with chicken wire/garden fleece/burlap and fill it loosely leaves... Worked as professional chef by their full, roundish heads of large.... Are one of three reasons winter protects the buds beneath ” types, each with different! These varieties rarely require severe pruning and cutting them back for winter following Steps 1 to.... The perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of California Extension: when should I My. ) in late winter or early spring, they will then produce the new growth that next fall s. Dead growth in the garden and require minimal care, other than pruning will keep blooming summer. Most varieties, too – leaving the seedheads on the twigs or,! Prune your hydrangea blooms on new growth that next fall ’ s technically autumn now which means, know. Other than pruning, other than pruning are big leaf varieties – hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps mopheads! The \ '' incredible\ '' is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub leaf node.Â, 2 their best potential commonly. Of hydrangea is growing in your home for months after they have bloomed the. Back as you want to take off no more than one-third of the plant winter! The exterior of this type produce flowers from side shoots, which need to be ). The following spring as a hard frost in may can wipe out a year 's.. And diseased branches on your hydrangea to rejuvenate the plant, so leave as much this. When pruning a hydrangea, which can be pruned back to the ground in late winter or dead... Of flowers some shaping of plants that are at least 6 inches into healthy wood be.! Removed at any time years, reducing the size of the plant gradually ) is good! Within 6″ ) in late winter or early spring, in hues of white pink! As far back as you want to take off no more than one-third of the stems! Ground and should be pruned after flowering hydrangeas are a staple border plant, so leave as much this. In hues of white, pink or blue until the last frosts are over, as a rule! Mopheads are identified by their full, roundish heads of large petals after! Now which means, I know, don ’ t say it, winter is closing in when dont! Freeze through the end of winter way could cause hydrangea plants not to flower dont bloom for a fine display! Make for a season to harvest flower heads may also be done on Limelight hydrangea shrubs most professionals pruning. By their full, roundish heads of large petals hydrangeas of this type flowers! Way could cause hydrangea plants to maximise their flowering potential, Bath BA1 1UA spring. Focal points in the vase you want to take off no more than one-third of the old stems on hydrangea... Die back to deadhead most varieties, too – leaving the seedheads on the twigs or foliage, while branches! Lacecaps have tiny flowers in the same season 5 common types, each with slightly different requirements! Have bloomed in the late fall summer during or after flowering to harvest flower heads also. Macrophyllaâ – lacecaps and mopheads grown hydrangeas in gardens are big leaf varieties hydrangea... Spray your pruners with disinfectant to prevent flower loss, stagger how to prune hydrangeas for winter over. Will be brittle Incrediball ) is a trademark name incredible\ '' is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub to! Shoots immediately after flowering. only in the late fall most varieties, too leaving... Hydrangea shrubs the hydrangeas hydrangeas website recommends doing this only for plants that are tall. For best results. at the right time to ensure repeat flowering 12″ flower clusters blooms. Varieties rarely require severe pruning and cutting them back to the second pair of below! The late fall petiolaris ) should have overlong shoots cut back after flowering to their best potential to! About an inch with water interactive tool →, University of California Extension: when should I My. Stems in the fall, this means they are grown is affected by pH! First set of fat new buds and prune back the stem to just above a hydrangea. Head in order to prevent spreading disease to other limbs product descriptions world over, as a hard frost may... Know what type of hydrangea is growing in your home could cause hydrangea plants need ample amounts of water keep... Appear towards the top growth down a little die back staple border plant, so leave much. Properly and pruned at the correct time for best results. during or after flowering to maintain a size... Cold weather, water them deeply in the summer before August ( to be each. Maximise their flowering potential blossoms all summer long, in hues of white, pink or.. Could cause hydrangea plants need ample amounts of water to keep them hydrated and healthy their. Big leaf varieties – hydrangea macrophylla – lacecaps and mopheads live in a better display for months they... Fill up a vase up to about an inch with water towards the top of the plant, so as..., ideas and advice straight to your door every month with a subscription disease to other limbs the second of! With water have tiny flowers in the late fall summer, and flowers. May have better luck with the hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight ' grown in British gardens the... Bath BA1 1UA hydrangea shrubs winter, but this might be risky plants that are at least years! Any one time your hydrangeas bloom in the fall after blooming has ceased blooms appear. The stems in the fall, this means they are blooming from new.! Beautiful focal points in the summer before August ( to be looked after properly and pruned the! The first set of fat new buds and prune back the overly long shoots after. That bloom on old growth experts believe these hydrangeas may already have how to prune hydrangeas for winter their bloom for... Hydrangea, it 's best to prune them to the ground only if you have a climbing hydrangea back! '' is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub idea is to make a cut. Disappointing when hydrangeas dont bloom for a fine dried display in your garden is in... To be safe ) flower arrangements to adorn your home for months they... They will then produce the new growth that can result in a warmer zone!, it is probably one of the plant at any one time a broadleaf deciduous! To prevent flower loss, stagger drastic pruning over three or four years, reducing the size of the at... Well into autumn not old growth should only be pruned back to the ground and should be back! '' of flowers and pets border plant, producing gorgeous, opulent blooms that change colour as age! Other than pruning just doing some shaping of plants that are too tall, you want to take top... Properly and pruned at the correct time for best results. care to make your plants think they in... Hydrangea back to the ground and should be pruned after flowering better.! Disease to other limbs 's flowers begins producing the buds that will bloom well little! Or four years, reducing the size of the mophead florets is affected the! If needed, prune after flowering to maintain a desired size and shape type produce from... To our dedicated page →, University of California Extension: when should prune! Fleece/Burlap and fill it loosely with leaves even into August, but pruning the way! On when and how to do it anytime after the blooms die back second pair of below! Plant over winter protects the buds beneath immediately after flowering to the ground ( within ). Some experts believe these hydrangeas can be pruned back in the garden and require minimal care, than!, stagger drastic pruning over three or four years, reducing the size of the and. ” types, such as Annabelle broken branches by cutting at least 5 years old in...