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italiananna

How far back do you cut the hydrangeas each year?

italiananna
10 years ago
I understand it is best to prune them around March. And in the wintertime, it seems you are left with bare stalks. I would just be curious how this driveway & garden look in the wintertime. It's definitely gorgeous when everything is in bloom. Thanks.
North Arlington Residence · More Info
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Proven Winners
    10 years ago
    If hydrangeas have one downfall, it is how they look in winter! We have a guide to understanding hydrangeas here: http://www.provenwinners.com/Hydrangeas-Demystified and a guide to pruning here: http://www.provenwinners.com/learn/care/pruning-shrubs-part-1-why-prune. Hope they help!

    Comments (8)

    • PRO
      Katia Goffin Gardens
      10 years ago
      The hydrangea stalks form a stark bouquet that are part of the beauty of winter.
    • meganpat
      10 years ago
      leave on the heads to protect the plant in winter
    • PRO
      Katia Goffin Gardens
      10 years ago
      Thank you Proven winners ... happy to have your input caring for hydrangeas. I still would not describe how hydrangeas look in winter as a 'downfall' - it is all in
      the beholder's point of view.
    • PRO
      Architectural Gardens, Inc
      10 years ago
      The dried flower heads look great in the winter, along with the dried pods of iris, dried grasses, etc. Google "plants with winter interest" and you'll see.
    • D D
      9 years ago

      I'd like to see this driveway landscape in the winter when the hydrangeas are bare. Do you cut them back or leave the stems all winter? How about snow removal? We usually end up with 3-4 feet of snow along our driveway for 3 months.

    • User
      9 years ago
      Hydrangeas bud on old wood. If you prune them back, you don't get flowers. You can selectively prune, but cutting the entire plant down will result in a couple of years with no blooms. If you don't like how it looks in winter, I'd look for a different shrub.
    • PRO
      Proven Winners
      9 years ago

      These are Hydrangea arborescens, our native hydrangeas. They bloom on new wood, so can be pruned back in late winter or early spring. They won't be bothered by snow piles. The winter interest can be quite nice.


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