Want To Learn How To Easily Identify and Prune A Hydrangea?
So you want to learn how to identify and prune a hydrangea? Well, hydrangeas are great for a beginner gardener to learn from as they are very hardy. They have a diversity in species (75 to be exact) and the absolutely stunning colors they can create depending upon the soil PH.
They can grow in shade, partial shade and full sun. Just be sure to double check the preference for your specific hydrangea. They really are forgiving plants. And there is sure to be a fit for your garden, these tough cookies can grow in USDA zones 3-9.
How To Identify A Hydrangea?
One of the first and most valuable takeaways from my experience is knowing how to identify if your hydrangeas bloom on what’s called, “old wood” vs. “new wood.” If you prune without first identifying this important piece of information it could set back your hydrangeas growth and blooms a growth cycle or so.
Old Wood vs New Wood
How To Prune A Hydrangea on Old Wood
Hydrangeas that bloom on “old wood” are often described as, “your grandma’s hydrangea.” They are one of the oldest species of hydrangeas.
Old wood Hydrangeas should ONLY be pruned following the three D’s:
- Diseased, Dead, or Damaged. This because the buds develop on the older wood, from previous years growth. Such as with Lacecap hydrangeas, the developing growth creates beautiful RED stems! How cool is that?
- Examples of Hydrangea’s that bloom on old wood include types like: Mophead, OakLeaf, BigLeaf and Lacecap.
How To Prune A Hydrangea on New Wood
Hydrangeas considered “new wood” create blooms on the current year’s growth. Most of the hydrangeas I currently have in my garden are considered new wood.
- You can prune them back to about 1/3 of their height
- Prune in either late winter or early spring
If you leave the foliage on during winter it will leave beautiful winter interest and also provide shelter for some of the wild life around you.
Hydrangeas come in all shapes and sizes, including a standard tree form like the one you’ll see below. This panicle tree-form hydrangea is the shining star in our yard. Likewise, it creates interest all year long, changing color with the season and is a complete honey bee magnet!!
- Examples of hydrangeas that bloom on new wood: Smooth or Panicle hydrangea.
- This includes the Incrediball hydrangea, my personal favorite. This blooms can reach 12 inches in diameter!
Hydrangeas are wonderful for our very important pollinators.
Lastly, do not fret when you start to prune a hydrangea. They are very hardy and forgiving plants! If you’re still unsure what type of hydrangea you have after looking at the stems and buds, don’t be afraid to take pictures or even take a leaf sample with you to your local garden store to ask for help.
*Just remember these steps:
- Old wood= no pruning EXCEPT the 3 D’s (Diseased, Dead, Damaged)
- New wood= prune in late Winter to early Spring down to 1/3 the height.*
Here’s a great helpful video from The Impatient Gardener demonstrating how to prune a hydrangea!
I hope you fall in love with hydrangeas just as much as I have.
Happy pruning and good luck!
Kindly,
Kate