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Ah , beautiful hydrangea – the stars of my summertime garden , but they for sure know how to keep me suppose when it comes to pruning !

Now that the laconic fall air has rolled in , you might be star at those once - vivacious heyday heads , now papery and brown , wonderingif you shouldgive them a clipping .

Is Pruning Hydrangeas In The Fall Really A Good Idea? (Here’s What Experts Recommend)

The truth is , when and how you prune calculate on a few factors : your uprise geographical zone , the type of hydrangea , and whether the plant has entered dormancy yet . Before you start cutting away , it ’s worth espouse the best method acting and timing for each type of hydrangea .

Luckily , I ’m here to aid !

So , keep read as I am about to share all the things you involve to get laid when it comes to pruning hydrangea in the fall .

Pink smooth hydrangea

Figure Out The Type Of Hydrangea You Are Growing First

You ca n’t just go and snip your hydrangea whenever you want . Figuring out the type of hydrangea you have will help you settle if pruning in the fall will make your blooms flourish or flop .

The arcanum lies in whether your hydrangea give rise flowers onnew wood(growth from the current year ) orold wood(growth from the previous year ) .

Here are the most common hydrangea eccentric and some pruning tips :

Woman gardener taking care of hydrangea flowers

•Panicle hydrangea ( H. paniculata ) – these beauties flaunt large , strobile - shaped flower that appear on new wood sprout in springtime . you may give them a skillful trim while they ’re dormant and they ’ll spring back quickly .

• bland hydrangea ( H. arborescens ) – known for their bighearted , Abronia elliptica - form flowers , these hydrangea also blossom on fresh wood . Prune away and get ready for a endearing flush display !

•Mophead hydrangea ( H. macrophylla ) – often called bigleaf hydrangea , these pop plant sport beautiful pinko , purplish , and blue blooms that blossom on old wood . No fall trim here if you want to keep the color coming !

pruning hydrangea

• Oakleaf hydrangea ( H. quercifolia ) – with parting that resemble oak leaf , this assortment produces lovely cone - regulate bloom on erstwhile wood . In this case , store your pruning shears for springtime .

Also show : These 15 Low - Maintenance Hydrangeas Are Nearly Impossible To Destroy

Then Choose The Right Time To Prune

When it comes to hydrangea pruning , knowing whether your variety flush on young wood or previous Sir Henry Wood will determine the pruning window .

• New woodwind instrument hydrangeas(like panicle and fluid salmagundi ) are a bit more forgiving . It ’s best to wait until former wintertime when the plant goes abeyant for a good pruning session . However , if you want to tidy up your garden in the fall , go in front and snip off those dried blooms and give the plant a overnice form .

• quondam wood hydrangeas(such as mophead and oakleaf ) have unlike needs . These beauties should be cut back right after they finish blooming in spring or summer . Most expert apprise against any pruning after August 31 because if you prune them in the fall you might ruin their blooming next spring .

Also translate : Start fix Your Hydrangeas For More Colorful Blooms Next Summer This Fall

And Finally, Give Them A Good Trimming

Okay , so once you ’ve mold when you are die to prune your hydrangeas , it ’s time to find the good methods for it .

And as there are two types of hydrangeas , they are also expire to need different pruning techniques .

Pruning New Wood Bloomers (Panicle And Smooth Hydrangeas)

1 . Deadhead blooms – as the panicle bloom of youth appease on the root until they dry out , consider remove them as they pass during the growing season . This little trick can help extend the blooming period for your hydrangeas .

2 . Prune to maintain shape – in late summer and dip , selectively garnish any overgrown branches and dry flowers to keep your hydrangeas looking tidy in the garden .

3 . Hard pruning when inactive – timing your hard pruning depends on your climate , but generally it should be done in former winter or very other natural spring . propose to remove about one - third of the plant ’s total multitude to encourage fresh new growth .

Pruning Old Wood Bloomers (Mophead And Oakleaf Hydrangeas)

1 . Deadhead blooms – for these variety show , it ’s important to trim off the fade blooms immediately after they droop . employ shunt clippers to make clean cuts near the understructure of the blossoms during summertime or very early free fall .

2 . take away disordered parts – keep an oculus out for any broken branches and hit them as soon as you spy them . audit your hydrangea in early spring to cut away any wood that did n’t survive the wintertime .

3 . Pruning due to overgrowth – if your old wood - blossom hydrangea necessitate a trimness , do it right after flower . Avoid prune past the remnant of August . When cut , hit only one - third of the flora ; otherwise , you gamble harming the bush .

And with these tips , you ’re ready for pruning . Just commend to check the kind of hydrangea you are develop and project the pruning schedule consequently .

full hazard !