Oakleaf hydrangea

Bigleaf or “mophead” hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) tend to get tall and leggy, and outgrow their garden space. Our native oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are pruned as blooms quality declines. Remove or “deadhead” all withered or faded flowers. Main pruning time for these two species is from mid-June thru mid-August. Mopheads may rebloom if they had been deadheads by mid-summer, again in September.

These two hydrangea species set their flower buds for next spring on old or current season’s growth on the terminal bud. Pruning in the fall or winter may remove flower buds or stimulate soft late shoots which die over the winter. Make all cuts 1/4 inch above the last set of leaves or cutback flush to a main branch.

Pruning improves the health of the plant, increasing vegetative growth. On older 4-5 year old hydrangeas, remove larger, thicker canes and prune them at the base of the stem. Remove one-quarter to one-third of these older branches. In 3-4 years the hydrangea will be completely rejuvenated.

Dead, dying, diseased stems and flowers can be removed at any time of year.