Pruning hydrangea encourages flowering and helps to keep the shrub looking healthy. Only prune after all chance of frost has passed. There are of course various types of hydrangea. One will flower on this year’s wood, another will only flower on old wood. But what does that actually mean, this ‘year’s wood’ or ‘old wood’?
Flowering on this year’s wood
Flowering on this year’s wood means that this hydrangea will only flower on branches that formed in the same year. Hydrangea that flowers on this year’s wood can be pruned in March to the desired height (no further back that the top bud on that branch).
Flowering on old wood
Flowering on old wood means that this hydrangea will only flower on branches that were formed from, at least, last year. Only cut off flowers on hydrangeas that flower on old wood, plus any frost damaged twigs and branches. Do this in March. Remember, if you prune healthy branches on a hydrangea that flower on old wood, you won’t get any flowers until the following year!
