Hydrangea Pruning Guide | Identify & Prune 4 Common Types

Hydrangea pruning doesn’t have to be confusing!

This week on Wednesdays with Wayne, we’re continuing our Late Winter Maintenance Series with Part 2: Hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs in Northwest Indiana, but many gardeners are unsure when and how to prune them. The key is knowing which type of hydrangea you have, because each species has different pruning needs.

In this episode, Wayne explains the four most common hydrangea types we grow in Northwest Indiana and how to identify them:

• Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
• Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
• Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
• Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Wayne walks through the correct pruning practices for each type, explains which hydrangeas bloom on old wood vs. new wood, and shares the garden tools he prefers to use for pruning hydrangeas.

If you’ve ever wondered “Should I prune my hydrangeas?” or “Why didn’t my hydrangea bloom?”, this guide will help you prune with confidence and get better blooms this season.

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