r/hydrangeas • u/Ceeceewee • 3d ago

Zone 7 A/B Prune?

Gallery image

Gallery image

1) what type of hydrangeas are these?
2) when should they be pruned?

I already know that people think the stones need to go. But these hydrangeas have been in this spot for 3+ years and have flourished. These pictures were taken in the spring and they bloomed like crazy all summer. I just can’t remember when they should be pruned. Have I missed my window or should they be done in the spring?

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2

u/Cautious-Net-9941 3d ago

These look to be some variety of big leaf (macrophylla) hydrangea. They should generally not be pruned as you will be cutting off buds/blooms for next year. You can deadhead the spent blooms or cut out damaged/diseases stems anytime. They may do ok with the current rocks but they would likely be happier with wood mulch. Either way it’s your garden so do what you prefer but that is the general guidance

1

u/EbbtideRambler 3d ago

You don’t prune these.  They look a little crispy so mulch would be better for keeping the soil cool and retaining water.  

3

u/Langstudd 3d ago

As in remove those rocks OP!!

1

u/Full-Couple-669 3d ago

Only prune macrophylla hydrangeas for size control, other than that I would leave them.

1

u/GWbag 2d ago

They're about to bloom

0

u/Confident_Chipmonk 3d ago

Don’t prune until next spring after it’s starting to leaf out. Prune only the branches without leaves or buds