Pruning hydrangea
Advice for August in the Netherlands
Whether you can prune a hydrangea now depends mostly on the species. Below you can see per species what makes sense this month.
Which hydrangea do you have?
Bigleaf hydrangea — August
Wait a little longer
Bigleaf hydrangea usually flowers on old wood. Pruning outside March and April most likely removes next season's flower buds. Leave the faded flower heads for now as natural winter protection.
Pay attention to this
- Biggest mistake: cutting everything back low and removing the flower buds with it.
- Not sure whether it is old wood? Wait until you can see living buds in spring.
- Always allow for frost and for differences between species and positions: postpone pruning during prolonged frost or when night frost is forecast.
See exactly where to cut
With real hands-on videos in the SnoeiWijs Tuinclub.
Frequently asked questions
- When should you prune a hydrangea?
- It depends on the species: prune bigleaf hydrangea in March or April, and Annabelle and panicle hydrangea in February or March. Choose your species above for this month's advice.
- How do I prune a hydrangea without losing flowers?
- First find out whether your hydrangea flowers on old or new wood. If it flowers on old wood, only cut once you can see the living buds in spring.
- Can I leave the faded flowers on the plant?
- Yes. Faded flower heads protect the buds underneath during winter, so leave them until the pruning moment.