When should you prune hydrangeas? how?

What about other things?

When should you prune hydrangeas? how?
It really depends on the variety but for the more common mophead type the dead flowerheads can be removed after flowering, but it is better to leave them on the plant over winter as they will provide some frost protection for the rather tender growth buds below them. Instead, remove the dead flowerheads in early spring, cutting back to the first strong, healthy pair of buds lower down the stem.

If there is any frost damage in spring, prune back damaged shoots to just above the first undamaged pair of buds on live, healthy wood. Also remove any weak, straggly stems.
Reply:Most hydrangeas bloom on old wood so you don't want to prune them too far back. Wait until late winter or early spring, when you first start to see green leaf buds emerge. Cut back to just above the leaf bud. I wouldn't prune more than 1/3 of the growth back to ensure you still get blooms. There are some new varieties out such as Endless Summer that rebloom all through summer and fall because they bloom on both old and new wood. They can be pruned at any time. If you want your hydrangeas to turn blue you should start fertilizing them now with Aluminum Sulfate or Hydrangea Blueing Formula. It's important to start early, long before buds form.
Reply:You don't say where you are. In SoCal we prune Hydrangeas the same time we prune roses- now. I just did 3 this morning. I always cut to just above some green sprouts. Depending on how low or high you want them, cut high or low but always to a sprout. I have cut into brown wood only to have that branch die. Good luck :-)
Reply:once the frosts are out of the way cut down to about half inch above new bud but Look @ overall shape a nice round one is best good luck
Reply:I won't repeat what the others said .... Deena has the right answer. Yet, even after proper pruning you may not get as many blooms as hoped if an old variety( nikko Blue or pink beauty for example) . One thing that I had success with last year was putting the hydrangeas under some stress to make them bloom if you are only getting healthy green leaves with no bloom. the way to do this, is take a spade and cut the roots all the way around the plant down about a foot, but not too close to the root ball. I didn't think it would work ,but it did!!

good luck
Reply:they say after they're done flowering. i do them in the spring and then i cut them down to the first bud. caution, don't cut them down to the ground if you want them to flower this season, i found this out the hard way. ( disclaimer ) pending the variety.



As far as other things , in general spring and fall are the best times pending the situation .