You Asked, We Answer: Fall Hydrangea Pruning

One of the most common questions we get asked out in the yard in the fall is “What do I do to prepare my Hydrangea for winter?” We are here to take away the guesswork on your Hydrangea care! Below, you will find the information for pruning Panicle Hydrangeas.

To Prune or Not to Prune…

There are many different opinions out there for trimming, including whether you should trim your Hydrangea in the fall or spring. Although both options get the job done, we do recommend pruning in the fall because of our harsh winters. If we receive a heavy snow (which we all know we will!), those large flowers can collect the snow, causing preventable branch breaking. Trim the dried florals off of your bush or tree to help protect it during the harsh winter snow!

Repurposing your flowers: We are all about repurposing! When you trim your hydrangeas, save the dried florals for a beautiful addition to your home decor! Hydrangeas add a beautiful texture and are easy to style!

Shaping

As a rule of thumb, we recommend trimming no more than ⅓ of your plant. This will help encourage it to push new growth in the spring, while still shaping it! For Hydrangea trees, attempt to create a V-Shape design to keep its natural growth pattern. If there is a “leggy” branch, feel free to trim it down close to the base. 

Pruners & Disinfectant

Don’t forget to disinfect your pruners! As undesirable as this step may be, it is especially  important when you are switching between multiple shrub or tree types to prevent any infection or disease transfer. Grab a bucket of soapy water or rubbing alcohol to dip your pruners in between plant varieties. 

The most important tool for your fall pruning IS your pruners! Make sure you have a sharp, high-quality option by picking up a new pair from our Garden Shop! If you have fall pruning questions, our yard staff is happy to help!