If you procrastinated on pruning your hydrangea this summer, you probably need to wait some more. It's always safe to remove dead wood and old blooms. But if your hydrangea has gotten too big and needs cutting back, you should do the job after the plant blooms next June or July -- but before August. Otherwise, you risk losing too many flower buds. This is true for mophead, lacecap and oakleaf hydrangeas.
However, 'Endless Summer' and other ever-bloomers will flower no matter when they're pruned.
It's safe to prune PeeGees (
H. paniculata
) and 'Annabelle' (
H. arborescens
) in the fall or winter. (Both bloom white.)
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-- Homes & Gardens staff
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