When & How to Prune Hydrangeas for Maximum Blooms
Published: 04/08/2025 | Updated: 04/08/2025
Hydrangeas are the showstoppers of many gardens, but pruning them the wrong way—or at the wrong time—can leave you with a bloom-less summer. The key? Knowing your hydrangea type and whether it blooms on old or new wood. In this guide, we'll break down when and how to prune the most common hydrangeas—and help you avoid the #1 pruning mistake that gardeners make.
First, Know Your Hydrangea Type
There are 3 main hydrangea types most home gardeners deal with:
1. Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
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Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer
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Blooms On: Old wood
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Includes: Mophead and lacecap varieties
2. Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
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Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
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Blooms On: New wood
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Includes: ‘Limelight’, ‘Pinky Winky’, etc.
3. Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
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Bloom Time: Mid-summer
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Blooms On: New wood
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Includes: ‘Annabelle’, ‘Incrediball’, etc.
👉 Other types like Oakleaf Hydrangeas also bloom on old wood and require similar care to Bigleaf types.
When to Prune Hydrangeas
| Type | Prune Time | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bigleaf | Late summer (after blooming) | If you prune in spring, you cut off the buds! |
| Panicle | Late winter to early spring | Encourages strong new growth and more blooms |
| Smooth | Late winter to early spring | Can be cut back hard for larger blooms |
How to Prune Hydrangeas by Type
Bigleaf (Old Wood Bloomers)
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Remove dead or damaged wood right after flowering
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Cut back spent blooms just above a healthy set of leaves
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Avoid hard pruning—it reduces next year’s flowers
Panicle & Smooth (New Wood Bloomers)
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Cut back stems to about 12–18 inches from the ground in late winter
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Remove weak or crossing branches to promote airflow
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Can be shaped more aggressively than Bigleaf types
Common Hydrangea Pruning Mistakes
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Pruning Bigleaf hydrangeas in spring (you’ll remove next season’s flowers)
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Not identifying the hydrangea type before cutting
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Skipping annual cleanup of deadwood and weak stems
✅ [Download] Your Hydrangea Pruning Checklist
Keep this simple reference on hand during pruning season:
Included in the Checklist PDF:
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Quick identification guide by flower shape & leaf type
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Correct pruning windows for each hydrangea type
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Step-by-step instructions for new vs. old wood bloomers
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Mistakes to avoid that cost you blooms
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Printable notes section for your garden tasks
👉 [Click here to download the checklist PDF]
🌿 Final Thoughts
Hydrangeas don't need constant pruning, but the right pruning can make the difference between a bushy green plant and a jaw-dropping floral display. Take the time to learn what you're growing—and prune with purpose. With the help of this guide and your handy checklist, you’ll have hydrangeas that wow all season long.