The gorgeous blooms of hydrangeas bring a romantic, classic vibe to any garden, and they look just as stunning in patio containers. But when it comes to fall maintenance, things can get a little tricky. Some varieties need a good haircut to stay healthy, while others should be left alone until spring. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your hydrangeas as the weather cools down.
Which Hydrangeas Should You Prune in the Fall?
When it comes to pruning, hydrangeas generally fall into two camps. Some varieties bloom on “new wood” (this year’s fresh growth), while others bloom on “old wood” (stems from previous years). If you prune the “old wood” varieties at the wrong time, you’ll accidentally cut off next year’s flower buds, leaving you with a green bush but no flowers.
Prune these varieties in the fall:
- Panicle Hydrangeas (like Limelight or PeeGee)
- Smooth Hydrangeas (like Annabelle)
Wait until spring for these varieties:
- Lacecap Hydrangeas
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas
- Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Mopheads)
- Climbing Hydrangeas
How to Prune Your Hydrangeas This Fall
Choosing the right tool depends on how big your hydrangea has grown. For smaller plants, a standard pair of hand pruners (rose shears) works perfectly. If you’re dealing with a massive shrub, you might want to grab some long-handled loppers or telescopic shears. Whatever you use, make sure the blades are sharp and clean! Giving them a quick wipe-down before you start helps prevent the spread of diseases or fungi to the fresh cuts.
When you’re ready to prune your hydrangeas, start by removing any dead or dried-out stems. Then, trim back the remaining branches, making sure to leave at least one “eye” (a growth node) on the stem. If the center of the bush is looking a bit crowded, thin it out to help with air circulation. You can also snip off any branches that are crossing over each other. This is also the perfect time to manage the overall size of your hydrangea to keep it from taking over the garden.
For the varieties that prefer a spring pruning, just do a light cleanup in the fall by removing dead wood. Leave the spent flower heads and dried tips alone for now. Not only do they look beautiful when dusted with a little winter snow, but those old blooms actually provide a bit of natural protection against the cold for the delicate buds underneath. You can tidy those up once the frost clears in the spring!
