Do you cut back hydrangeas in the fall or spring
- should hydrangeas be cut back
- should hydrangeas be cut back in the fall
- should hydrangeas be cut back for winter
- should hydrangeas be cut back every year
Do hydrangeas need to be cut back for winter!
When & How to Prune Your Hydrangea
Itching to prune your hydrangeas?
When is it too late to cut back hydrangeas for winter
Follow these 3 steps to ensure your success.
STEP 1: Identify which type of hydrangea you have.
Most hydrangeas sold in North America fall into one of five types: bigleaf, mountain, smooth, panicle and oakleaf. Some form their flower buds on old wood, meaning next summer's buds are already present on the branches in fall and winter.
Others form their flower buds on new wood, once they begin to grow in spring. This is why it's so important to identify which type of hydrangea you have before you prune: you could inadvertently cut off flower buds and remove all of the blooms for the season.
While that doesn't harm the plant, it's definitely disappointing. That's why you should see below for a detailed explanation of hydrangea traits to help you identify which type you have.
STEP 2: Decide when to prune your hydrangea.
Once you have completed step one, you will know which type of hydrangea you are growing.
Then, follow this guide to decide when to prune.