How to prune hydrangeas, when to prune

1. Pruning method

1. Pinching: When hydrangeas are still seedlings, they need to be pinched. Usually, you wait until it grows to about 15 cm, then cut off the top part with a sterilized blade.

2. Withered flowers: After the plant has finished blooming, you need to trim off the withered flowers from below the flower head to make the plant shape more neat.

3. Old branches: After growing for a few years, old branches should be cut off by about 1/3 of their length. Only after the old branches are cut off will more new branches grow.

4. Miscellaneous branches: There will be many messy crossed branches and overlapping branches on the plant. The overlapping weak branches should be cut off and the strong branches should be retained. This will allow the plant to be more ventilated and grow better.

2. Pruning time

Hydrangea pruning can be done in summer and autumn. If weak and messy branches are found during its growth period, they need to be cut off as soon as possible to avoid consuming unnecessary nutrients in the potting soil. Please note that pruning is prohibited during the budding period, which is around November. The plant should not be pruned at this time.