Early spring pruning will tame this hydrangea - Indiana Yard and Garden - Purdue Consumer Horticulture

Early spring pruning will tame this hydrangea

Overgrown panicle hydrangea in full bloom with white blooms, growing next to a house. The hydrangea plant is up to the eaves of the house.

Overgrown panicle hydrangea
Photo Credit: T.B., Morgan County

Q: I have a hydrangea that is overgrown. It’s falling over and is too tall and wide. I would like it not to block the window. But I don’t know how/when/how much to prune to a smaller size. — T.B., Morgan County

A: Pruning time and technique depends on the particular species of hydrangea. Yours appears to be the panicle hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata. Panicle hydrangea blooms on new wood, meaning the flower buds are produced on new stems produced each year. So the best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Since you want to overall reduce the size of the plant, you can hard prune down near the bottom of the stems.  Just make sure you cut back to just above healthy buds as these will give rise to the new stems.

 


Share This Article
Disclaimer: Reference to products is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in these articles assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907

© 2024 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture at homehort@purdue.edu | Accessibility Resources