pruning hydrangea

by Gene
(Pearl River NY, 10965)

Hi Doug. Sorry, but I read a few questions so I wouldn't have to ask one you have previously answered but I didn't see what I was looking for so I am doing it anyway. When you say prune after blooming are you referring to the little green leaves that start to pop out or are you referring to the actual flowers. My neighbor convinced me to prune my blue hydragea two falls ago and last summer I got very few flowers, although the bush itself was huge. Thanks and sorry once again for asking a repeat question.

Doug says that he's talking about pruning to shape the shrub. Old blooms are removed when they are finished and pruning should happen shortly afterward. You can combine these two activities into one if you can to reduce labor.

Blue hydrangea form buds in year one and they flower on year two so if you prune to late or too early in the season, you're cutting off the buds that should flower.

Prune within 4-6 weeks of flowering ending or don't.
Gene