I'm a novice gardner and am not sure what to do with my hydrangea----cut back or not?

This was planted last year and did well throughout the season;

I just left it over the winter. Should I cut it back now or just wait and hope it will leaf out again? Looks kinda scraggly now.

I'm a novice gardner and am not sure what to do with my hydrangea----cut back or not?
Barbara,



It will depend on exactly what kind of hydrangea you have planted. (Keep in mind there are many types of this plant and each one has a unique way of growing) SOME hydrangeas bloom on "old wood"...meaning the wood that is left over from last year. SOME hydrangeas bloom on "new wood"...meaning anything that grows this year. Also, SOME hydrangeas bloom on both OLD and NEW wood!



Your best bet? Wait it out until the plant really starts taking off, and you will be able to see where exactly the new blooms are coming in. If it's not on the old, scraggly looking part of your plant, then by all means cut those branches down.



I am not a novice gardener, but I have purchased some hydrangeas from Home Depot and want to wait and see as to what they will do - so I know how you feel about them looking a little worn.



Hope that helps you out!
Reply:I meant to add that all responses were helpful and I do appreciate everybody's good advice and comments. Wish it were possible sometimes to select more than one "best answer". Good luck to all. Report It
Reply:DO NOT cut it back.Wait until all the leaves have started to form on the branches. Then cut out all DEAD branches to the ground. If any of the branches are half dead and the other half of it has leaves then just trim off the dead parts.
Reply:Koi is right. Don't cut your hydrangea until it gets leaves and then cut out the dead wood only. Hydrangeas will bloom on previous years growth so you will cut off the part that would have produced the flowers. I know that the wood looks dry and dead but that's what hydrangea wood looks like after winter. I have thought a few times that mine were dead but to my surprise, new growth sprouts from that "dead" wood. Give them a chance to do their thing. :)
Reply:Cut it down to about 6 inches above the ground. You should do that every year. It looks scraggly now because he/she needs a hair cut to make it fill out.
Reply:No do not cut it back. It will leaf out and new blooms will form.

I found this out the hard way.

Shortly after we were married I decided to help out my wife while I was on days off and she was at work.

I cut back the hydrangea --- well she was not happy, but she is sweet and forgave me.

It did not bloom that year but it came back and is doing well now.

If there some really scraggly shoots trim them off just to make a better shape.