How severe can I prune my hydrangea paniculata.

bakerbhoy · 28-01-2025 05:51PM #1

That's the question.

I got great blooms last summer and large growth.

I want to downsize the shrubs, but don't want to kill them.

looksee · 28-01-2025 05:57PM

You can cut paniculatas right down, before the new wood starts to sprout as that is what will carry the new blooms. If they are mopheads or lacecaps you will lose this year's flowers, but you won't kill them. I have seen mopheads cut down to a stump and they grew again with great enthusiasm.

My paniculatas have been in about 3 years and are just a nice size, but I will cut them back next year.

standardg60 · 28-01-2025 06:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109506#Comment_123109506

Yes correct they're different to the typical ones, can be chopped to the ground if needs be.

magicbastarder · 28-01-2025 05:56PM

IIRC correctly you can prune them hard, but they might not flower for the first summer after. they flower on last year's wood, not the wood they produce this year.