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Hello Reader,
Hydrangeas are one of those plants that tend to perplex gardeners. This is the time of year where you might start to wonder if you should be pruning your Hydrangea, or if doing so would create some sort of floral catastrophe. You may even wonder if pruning them too early will lead all the neighbors to gossip behind your back about what a terrible gardener you are. “Did you hear? She pruned her Hydrangeas too early?” Your neighbors would cackle while they walked past with their crusty white dogs in tow.
Fear not, for this article will save you from humiliation and teach you something about Hydrangeas along the way. Hydrangeas are a classic plant that give most designs an elevated feeling. These shrubs come in a variety of colors and shapes. The most common varieties are native to the US, Japan, and Asia. These plants will tell you the acidity of your soil through their bloom color. If they bloom blue your soil is acidic, while pink means your soil is alkaline. Don’t worry, the changing colors are a feature of the plants and not the CBD products sponsoring today’s newsletter. I’ll introduce three common types of Hydrangeas below that you are likely to find at nurseries, and teach you when to prune them.
Type | Blooms On | Safe Spring Prune? | USDA Hardiness Zones | Flower |
arborescens | New wood | Yes | 3–9 | Soft white flowers |
macrophylla | Old wood (mostly) | No | 5–9 (some 6–9) | Blue/pink showstopper |
paniculata | New wood | Yes | 3–8 | Structured white cones |
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ - Smooth Hydrangea
Pruning — When & Why
When: Late winter to very early spring (March–early April in WI)
Why: Blooms on new wood (current season’s growth)
You can cut it back hard (even to 12–18”) without losing flowers.
Growing Requirements
Hardiness: USDA Zones: 3–9
Light: Part shade preferred (can take more sun with moisture)
Soil: Average, evenly moist, tolerates clay
Water: Moderate; wilts dramatically in drought
pH: Flower color does NOT change with soil pH (always white)
Hydrangea macrophylla
Pruning — When & Why
When: Immediately after flowering (mid-summer)
Why: Most varieties bloom on old wood (last year’s stems)
If you prune in fall, winter, or spring → you remove next year’s flowers.
Growing Requirements
Hardiness: USDA Zones: 5–9 (some 6–9)
Light: Morning sun, afternoon shade ideal
Soil: Rich, well-drained, consistently moist
Water: High — hates drying out
pH: Affects flower color
Acidic soil → blue
Alkaline soil → pink
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’
Pruning — When & Why
When: Late winter or early spring
Why: Blooms on new wood
You can shape it or reduce size before growth begins. No flower loss from spring pruning.
Growing Requirements
Hardiness: USDA Zones: 3–8
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Adaptable; prefers well-drained but tolerates clay
Water: Moderate; more drought tolerant than macrophylla
pH: Does NOT affect flower color (white → pink with age naturally)
Field Notes:
I planted the Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo’ last year, and it did not grow much in the first year. I’m excited to see what it does this year. I will just be trimming off a few dead flowers, but other than that letting it get more established before I start a yearly prune. Planted in front of a window, so hopefully one day the flowers will frame the bottom of the view outside of the house.
Plotter’s Commons:
What’s the biggest project you have planned for your garden this spring? I’m using “planned” loosely here if it is still in the dreaming stage. Reply to this email or share in our growing Facebook group.
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Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch
Ken Welch is a garden writer with a very serious degree in Horticulture. When his city lacked a community garden, he helped build one. He teaches new gardeners how to grow their own food.
Cibus Est Imperium | Food is Power