It doesn't matter whether it's climbing, panicle or farmer's hydrangeas - they all have to be pruned. However, depending on the hydrangea species, there are a few things to consider.
In itself, hydrangeas (Hydrangea) are quite easy to care for, apart from the increased water requirement, which makes them a popular garden plant (reading tip: Hydrangea care - 4 small care tips). However, you should cut them back regularly to maintain their shape and blooms over the long term. Incidentally, this also applies to hydrangeas in tubs.
Many hobby gardeners are usually very uncertain when it comes to pruning the hydrangea. This one is not difficult at all. All you have to do is know exactly what type of hydrangea it is, as the pruning depends on it. Below you can see which variety belongs to which pruning group and how they are pruned correctly.
cut group 1:
The types of the first cutting group form the new shoots and the associated flower buds in the current garden year. Therefore, you must not cut back these hydrangeas too much. Otherwise you might damage the fresh shoots.
This group of hydrangea species includes:
- all varieties of hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
- all varieties of hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata)
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
- Velvet Hydrangea (Hydrangea sargentiana)
- Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)
- Giant-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera "Macrophylla")
How to cut the hydrangeas:
It is best to prune the types of this pruning group very early in spring, because they are sensitive to frost. First, snip off the old bud sites just above the first pair of buds. You can then thin out the whole plant a little if this is necessary. It is important that you only cut off the oldest shoots above the ground. If you cut back the hydrangea more, the plant will not flower for a year.
cut group 2:
The second pruning group includes those varieties in which the buds are only formed in the current garden year.
This group includes:
- all varieties of panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
- all varieties of snowball hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
How to cut the hydrangeas:
The pruning should take place either in late autumn or in spring. You have to cut back all the shoots from the last garden season so far that only one pair of eyes remains. Fresh, long shoots will emerge from this in the next season. If you do this, the number of shoots will double every year.
Should the crown ever be too dense, you can cut off some weaker shoots or those that are poorly placed.
The procedure for both editing groups is also explained very nicely in this video:
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Special Case - Hydrangea "Endless Summer":
Although this variety is botanically one of the farmer's hydrangeas, it has one special feature. Even if you prune the flowering branches very heavily, they will sprout again and continue to flower even in the current year. For this reason, you can't go wrong with pruning this variety in spring. However, it is recommended that you only remove the faded inflorescences. In addition, in summer you should always remove faded flowers immediately after flowering.