When To Cut Hydrangeas For Winter: The Do's And Don'ts

When to Cut Hydrangeas for Winter: The Do's and Don'ts

Hydrangeas are a popular flowering shrub that can be found in gardens all over the world. They come in a variety of colors, from white to pink to blue, and they can be a beautiful addition to any landscape.

However, hydrangeas can be a bit tricky to prune. If you prune them at the wrong time, you can end up with fewer flowers the following year. So, when is the best time to cut hydrangeas for winter?

The answer depends on the type of hydrangea you have. There are two main types of hydrangeas: old wood bloomers and new wood bloomers.

Old wood bloomers bloom on the previous year's growth. This means that the buds for next year's flowers are already formed on the stems by the time winter arrives. If you prune old wood bloomers in the winter, you will be cutting off the buds for next year's flowers.

New wood bloomers bloom on the current year's growth. This means that you can prune them in the winter without affecting the flowers for next year.

So, if you have old wood bloomers, you should avoid pruning them in the winter. Instead, prune them in the summer, after the flowers have faded.

If you have new wood bloomers, you can prune them in the winter, but you should be careful not to cut too much. Just remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.

Here are some general tips for pruning hydrangeas in the winter:

• Use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts.
• Cut just above a bud, or at a point where two branches meet.
• Don't prune more than one-third of the plant at a time.
• Dispose of the prunings in the trash, not in the compost pile.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your hydrangeas will bloom beautifully next year.

Do's and Don'ts of Pruning Hydrangeas in Winter

Dos:

• Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
• Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
• Thin out the plant to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.
• Cut just above a bud, or at a point where two branches meet.
• Don't prune more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Don'ts:

• Prune in the fall, after the flowers have faded.
• Cut too much of the plant.
• Prune back to the ground.
• Prune in the middle of winter, when the plant is dormant.

Conclusion

Pruning hydrangeas in the winter can be a bit tricky, but it's important to do it correctly if you want to ensure that your plants will bloom beautifully next year. By following the tips in this blog post, you can help ensure that your hydrangeas will be healthy and productive for many years to come.

Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. But if you want your hydrangeas to bloom their best, it's important to prune them properly.

The best time to prune hydrangeas for winter is in late fall, after they have finished blooming. This will give the shrub time to set new growth before winter.

When pruning hydrangeas, it's important to know the type of hydrangea you have. Some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, while others bloom on new wood. If you prune a hydrangea that blooms on old wood too early in the fall, you may remove the flower buds for the following year.

If you're not sure what type of hydrangea you have, or if you're not comfortable pruning your own shrubs, you can always visit a website like for more information.

This website has a wealth of information about hydrangeas, including how to prune them for winter. They also have a helpful video that shows you how to prune hydrangeas step-by-step.

FAQ of cutting hydrangeas for winter

Question 1: Do I need to cut back my hydrangeas for winter?

Answer: It depends on the type of hydrangea you have. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as bigleaf, oakleaf, and mountain hydrangeas, should not be cut back in the fall. This is because the flower buds for next year are already formed on the old wood, and pruning them will reduce your flower production. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, such as panicle and smooth hydrangeas, can be pruned in the fall or early spring.

Question 2: When is the best time to cut back hydrangeas?

Answer: The best time to cut back hydrangeas that bloom on old wood is immediately after they have finished flowering. This gives the plant time to regrow and form flower buds for next year. Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be pruned in late fall or early spring, before the new growth starts.

Question 3: How much should I cut back my hydrangeas?

Answer: The amount you cut back your hydrangeas will depend on the type of hydrangea you have and how you want it to look. For hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, you should only cut back the spent flower heads. For hydrangeas that bloom on new wood, you can cut back the entire plant to about 6 inches tall.

Question 4: What tools do I need to cut back hydrangeas?

Answer: You will need a sharp pair of pruning shears or loppers to cut back hydrangeas. It is important to use sharp tools so that you make clean cuts that will help the plant heal quickly.

Question 5: How do I care for hydrangeas after cutting them back?

Answer: After cutting back hydrangeas, you should water them well. You may also want to apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture. Hydrangeas are relatively drought-tolerant, but they will do best with regular watering, especially during the first year after cutting them back.

Image of cutting hydrangeas for winter

• Image 1: A close-up of a hydrangea stem being cut at an angle with a pair of pruning shears.
• Image 2: A gardener cutting back a hydrangea bush to the ground in late winter.
• Image 3: A vase of cut hydrangeas in full bloom.
• Image 4: A hydrangea bush with new growth emerging in early spring.
• Image 5: A gardener trimming a hydrangea bush to encourage new growth.