Hydrangea Pruning

What This Service Involves

Hydrangeas are one of the most misunderstood shrubs to prune, and cutting the wrong type at the wrong time is the number one reason Western Washington gardens fail to bloom. Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas flower on old wood, so we prune them lightly right after flowering and never in late winter. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and get a harder cutback in late winter to fuel strong summer flowers. Our first step is always identifying the variety, then we tailor the cuts, remove dead stems, and manage the vigorous growth our long, mild PNW growing season encourages.

Benefits

Maximizes bloom count by pruning each type according to its bloom wood; Prevents the classic mistake of cutting off next season's flowers; Controls size while maintaining strong stems that resist flopping; Removes winter-killed and weak wood for a cleaner plant; Improves flower size on new-wood varieties through renewal cuts

Our Process

1) Identify the hydrangea type and whether it blooms on old or new wood; 2) Remove dead, weak, and winter-damaged stems at the base; 3) For old-wood types, lightly shape just after flowering; 4) For new-wood types, cut back stems in late winter to a strong framework; 5) Thin crowded canes and clear all clippings

What Affects the Cost

Hydrangea variety and its specific pruning approach; Number and maturity of plants; Amount of deadwood and winter damage to remove; Degree of size reduction requested; Debris volume and disposal

Best Time of Year

In the PNW, prune old-wood hydrangeas right after they bloom in summer, and cut back new-wood panicle and smooth types in late winter (February) before spring growth.