University Of Minnesota Extension Offers Tips On Pruning Hydrangeas In Wright County

St. Michael MN

31 March, 2021

7:49 AM

Description

Press release from the Wright County Government: March 30, 2021 Hydrangeas are one of the most popular blooming woody shrubs in Minnesota landscapes and, as you'd expect, people often ask how and when to prune these beloved shrubs. Hydrangea paniculata, panicle hydrangea Prune back stems to just above a fat bud — called a heading cut — in fall, late winter or spring. These plants have conical-shaped flower heads. I recommend leaving the dry, tan flower heads on the plant to provide some winter interest in your landscape, so I wait to prune these until late winter or spring. Some favorite panicle hydrangeas: Quick Fire® (H. paniculata 'Bulk' PP16, 812) Limelight (H. paniculata 'Limelight') First Editions® Berry White® (H. paniculata 'Renba' PP28, 509) Hydrangea macrophylla, big leaf hydrangea These plants produce buds in late summer to early fall (August-September) that will form next year's flowers. So prune these shrubs after they finish blooming before August (again, make a heading cut). An exception is the Endless Summer® The Original Bigleaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla 'Bailmer' PP15,298) and other cultivars in the Endless Summer series from Bailey Nurseries such as Blushing Bride, BloomStruck® , Summer Crush®, and Twist 'n' Shout®. The H. macrophylla bloom on last year's wood and new wood that grows this year. So it will bloom whether you prune it or not. Protect H. macrophylla in winter from rabbit browsing on the stems with a large, 4-foot tall ring of hardware cloth. The Endless Summer hydrangea made a huge splash on the Minnesota landscape plant scene because of its pink to blue color flowers (achievable with proper soil amendment) and because it blooms on old and new wood. Hydrangea arborescens, smooth hydrangea Let these plants grow a season or two before doing any serious "hard" pruning. Once the shrub is established and has a couple of growing seasons under its belt, prune these hydrangeas in the spring down to the ground, or not at all if you want a larger shrub. Flower buds will grow on this season's growth or new wood. Some favorite smooth hydrangeas: Invincibelle Mini Mauvette® (H. arborescens 'NCHA7' PP30,358) Incrediball® (H. arborescens 'Abetwo' PP20571) Annabelle (H. arborescens 'Annabelle') Hydrangea petolaris or climbing hydrangea This tough, gnarly vine needs little to no pruning ever, except for removing any dead wood that develops. Plant this vine in full sun on a solid trellis or fence where you want a long-living, dense screen. It is a dickens to get rid of once it gets established. This press release was produced by the Wright County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.