How To Prune Hydrangeas In Summer

Knowing how to prune hydrangeas in summer can feel confusing. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with healthier plants and fantastic blooms next year. This guide makes summer pruning simple, clear, and stress-free.

The key is knowing which type of hydrangea you have. Pruning at the wrong time is the main reason people don’t see flowers. We’ll help you identify your plant and give you the right steps.

Summer pruning is mostly about maintenance and shaping. For many hydrangeas, it’s the ideal time to deadhead spent flowers. This encourages the plant to put its energy into new growth and next year’s buds, rather than making seeds.

It’s also a good time to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. This keeps the plant healthy and looking its best. Remember, major structural pruning is usually done in late winter or early spring for most varieties.

Step 1: Identify Your Hydrangea Type

This is the most important step. Pruning depends entirely on whether your hydrangea blooms on old wood or new wood.

Old Wood Bloomers: These form their flower buds in late summer on the previous year’s growth. Prune these in summer, right after they finish flowering.
New Wood Bloomers: These form flower buds on the current season’s growth. They can be pruned in late winter or early spring, but summer is still fine for deadheading.

Common Old Wood Bloomers (Prune in Summer After Bloom)

Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) – including mopheads and lacecaps.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia).
Mountain Hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata).
Climbing Hydrangeas (Hydrangea petiolaris).

Common New Wood Bloomers (Prune in Late Winter/Early Spring)

Panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) – like ‘Limelight’ or ‘PeeGee’.
Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) – like ‘Annabelle’.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and prevent disease. You’ll likely need:

Bypass pruners for smaller stems.
Loppers for thicker branches.
A small pruning saw for the oldest canes.
Rubbing alcohol or a disinfectant spray to clean your tools between plants.

Step 3: The Summer Pruning Process for Old Wood Bloomers

For your bigleaf, oakleaf, and mountain hydrangeas, follow these steps in mid to late summer, after the flowers fade.

Deadhead Spent Flowers: Find the first set of plump, healthy leaf buds below the old flower head. Make your cut about 1/2 inch above those buds. This is where new growth will emerge.
Remove Thin or Weak Stems: Cut any spindly growth at the base to improve air circulation.
Cut Out Dead/Damaged Wood: Remove any canes that are obviously dead, broken, or diseased. Cut these back to the ground.
Consider Rejuvenation: Every few years, you can remove one or two of the oldest, thickest stems at the base. This encourages new, vigorous growth from the roots.

Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as you might cut off next year’s flower buds which are already forming. If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to prune less.

Step 4: Summer Care for New Wood Bloomers

For panicle and smooth hydrangeas, summer is less about pruning and more about deadheading and shaping if you wish.

Deadheading is Optional: You can remove faded blooms to keep the plant looking tidy, but it’s not necessary for flower production. These types will bloom on new growth next year regardless.
Light Shaping: If the plant is getting too large or misshapen, you can make light corrective cuts. But save the major size reduction for late winter.
Still Remove Problem Wood: Always take out any dead, damaged, or crossing branches whenever you see them.

Step 5: Aftercare Tips

Your plants might appreciate a little extra care after pruning.

Watering: Give them a good drink if the weather is dry. Pruning can be a slight stress, and hydration helps.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of compost or bark mulch around the base. This helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.
Hold the Fertilizer: Avoid heavy fertilizing in late summer. You don’t want to encourage a lot of tender new growth that could be damaged by early frosts.

Common Summer Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make a few errors. Here’s what to watch out for.

Pruning at the Wrong Time: The biggest mistake. Pruning old wood bloomers in spring will cut off the current year’s flowers.
Cutting Too Low: When deadheading, don’t cut back into bare wood. Always look for those leaf buds.
Over-Pruning: Removing more than one-third of the plant in a single season can shock it. Be conservative.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools: This crushes stems and can spread disease from plant to plant.

If you accidently prune your old-wood hydrangea at the wrong time, don’t panic. The plant will be fine, it just might not flower this season. It gives you a chance to focus on healthy leaf growth.

Special Case: Reblooming Hydrangeas

Many newer bigleaf hydrangeas are rebloomers. They flower on both old wood and new wood. For these, summer deadheading is especially beneficial.

By removing the first round of faded flowers, you often encourage a second flush of blooms later in the season. The pruning method is the same—cut back to the first set of healthy buds.

FAQ: Summer Hydrangea Pruning

Can I prune hydrangeas in July?
Yes, July is often the perfect time for deadheading old wood bloomers after their first bloom cycle. For rebloomers, this timing can prompt a second set of flowers.

What happens if you prune hydrangeas in the summer?
If you prune the correct types (old wood bloomers), you remove spent blooms and encourage bushier growth. You also get a chance to improve the plant’s shape and health without sacrificing next year’s flowers.

How far back do you cut hydrangeas in the summer?
Generally, just back to the first pair of strong leaf buds below the old flower head. For dead or problematic stems, cut them all the way back to the ground or to a main stem.

Can I cut my hydrangea to the ground in summer?
No, this is not recommended for any hydrangea in summer. It will severely stress the plant and eliminate flowers for old wood types. If a plant is extremly overgrown, this drastic renovation is best done in late winter for new wood bloomers only.

Should you deadhead hydrangeas?
For aesthetics and to direct energy, yes, it’s a good practice for most types. It’s essential for encouraging reblooming varieties to produce their second show.

Summer pruning doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you’ve identified your hydrangea type, the process becomes straightforward. The main goals are to clean up spent blooms, maintain a good shape, and ensure the plant’s health. By following these simple steps, you’ll set your hydrangeas up for continued success and a beautiful display season after season. Remember, when in doubt, a light touch is often best. Your future self will thank you when those stunning blooms appear next year.