How To Prune Incrediball Hydrangea

If you’re wondering how to prune incrediball hydrangea, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the simple process step-by-step. These tough, beautiful shrubs are known for their massive white flower heads that can reach up to 12 inches across. Unlike some finicky hydrangeas, Incrediballs are incredibly forgiving, making them a favorite for both new and experienced gardeners. Proper pruning is the key to keeping them healthy, shapely, and blooming their best each season.

First, a bit of good news: Incrediball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’) bloom on new wood. This means they produce flowers on the new growth that emerges in the current growing season. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about accidentally cutting off next year’s buds. Pruning them is straightforward and low-risk, giving you the confidence to get the job done.

This is your core action plan. Following these steps at the right time will ensure a spectacular show of flowers.

When to Prune Your Incrediball Hydrangea

Timing is everything, but luckily, the window is wide. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Look for small, swollen buds (called leaf nodes) on the stems—this is your cue that the plant is waking up.

Late Winter to Early Spring: This is the ideal and most common time. The plant is dormant, and you can easily see the structure of the shrub.
Avoid Fall Pruning: While you can tidy up the plant in fall, save major cuts for spring. Leaving the old stems through winter provides some protection for the crown and adds interesting texture to the winter garden.
After a Hard Frost: If you live in a cold climate, wait until the threat of severe frost has passed. A late frost can damage tender new growth that’s stimulated by pruning.

Tools You’ll Need

Gathering the right tools makes the job easier and healthier for your plant. You’ll only need a few basics:

Bypass Pruners (Hand Shears): For most cuts on stems up to 1/2 inch thick.
Loppers: For thicker, older stems, usually up to 1-2 inches in diameter.
Gloves: To protect your hands from blisters and any rough stems.
Rubbing Alcohol or a Disinfectant Spray: To clean your tool blades before you start and between plants. This prevents spreading disease.

The Step-by-Step Pruning Process

Now, let’s get to the actual cutting. Follow these numbered steps for the best results.

Clean Your Tools: Wipe down the blades of your pruners and loppers with a disinfectant. It’s a simple step that’s often overlooked but crucial for plant health.
Remove Dead Wood: Start by cutting out any clearly dead, damaged, or diseased stems. Cut these back to the base of the plant. You can identify dead wood by its brittle, hollow, or blackened appearance, and it won’t have any plump buds.
Cut for Shape and Strength: Look at the overall shape of the shrub. Incrediballs have a naturally rounded habit. Prune any stray branches that stick out awkwardly to maintain a pleasing form. Also, remove any very thin, spindly stems, as they won’t produce strong flowers.
Make Your Primary Cuts: Here’s the main event. For each remaining healthy stem, make your cut about 1-2 feet above the ground. Aim to cut just above a pair of healthy, outward-facing buds (leaf nodes). Cutting at this height encourages strong, sturdy new growth that will support those heavy flower heads without flopping over.
Clean Up: Gather all the cuttings and dispose of them. Do not leave them around the base of the plant, as this can harbor pests and fungi.

Why Prune So Hard? Preventing Flop

You might think cutting stems down to 1-2 feet seems severe. But for Incrediball hydrangeas, this is the secret to success. If you only give them a light trim, the new growth will be taller and weaker. The enormous blooms will then weigh down the stems, causing the entire shrub to flop open, especially after rain.

By pruning hard, you encourage thicker, sturdier stems from the base. These robust stems act like strong arms, holding the massive flower balls upright all season long. It’s a trade-off—slightly shorter plants for dramatically better performance and appearance.

Care After Pruning

A little post-prune care helps your hydrangea bounce back with vigor.

Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of compost or shredded bark mulch around the base of the plant. Keep it a few inches away from the main stems. This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
Water: If the spring is dry, give your pruned shrub a good, deep watering to support the new growth surge.
Fertilize: In early spring, after pruning, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 formula) according to package directions. A top-dressing of compost is also an excellent, gentle option.

What If You Missed the Spring Window?

Don’t panic. Life gets busy. If you find it’s already late spring or early summer and your Incrediball is leafing out, you can still prune. Just be aware that you might sacrifice some of that season’s blooms, as the plant has already used energy on that growth. The shrub will be perfectly fine, and it will simply direct its energy to producing new stems and possibly later flowers.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even with an easy-going plant, a few missteps can happen. Here’s what to steer clear of:

Pruning in Fall: As mentioned, this removes the natural winter protection for the plant’s crown.
Not Pruning at All: Skipping pruning leads to a congested shrub with weaker, floppier stems and progressively smaller flowers.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools: Dull blades crush stems instead of making clean cuts, inviting disease. Always clean your tools.
Cutting Too High: Leaving stems too tall is the main cause of flopping. Be brave and cut lower for stronger plants.

FAQ: Your Incrediball Hydrangea Pruning Questions Answered

Q: Can I prune my Incrediball hydrangea in summer after it blooms?
A: Yes, but it’s not ideal for flower production. You can deadhead spent blooms (cut just below the flower head) for neatness. For major shaping or size reduction, it’s best to wait until the following spring to avoid cutting off next year’s potential buds, even though they bloom on new wood.

Q: My Incrediball flopped over last year. How can I fix it?
A: Flopping is almost always due to insufficient pruning. Next spring, prune harder—cut stems down to 12-18 inches from the ground. This promotes thicker, stronger growth. You can also use a peony ring or discreet staking early in the season for extra support while the new stems mature.

Q: How short should I prune Incrediball hydrangea?
A: A good rule is to prune to about 1-2 feet tall. Focus on cutting to just above a set of strong buds. If the plant is very young or you want it taller, you can leave 18-24 inches. If it flopped badly last year, go shorter, around 12 inches.

Q: Do I need to deadhead Incrediball hydrangeas?
A> Deadheading (removing old flowers) isn’t necessary for the plant’s health, but it can improve appearance. In fall, the creamy blooms often age to lovely shades of green and pink, which many gardeners enjoy. You can leave them for winter interest and then remove them when you do your spring pruning.

Q: What’s the difference between pruning Incrediball and other hydrangea types?
A: The key difference is that Incrediballs bloom on “new wood.” This makes them much easier to prune than hydrangeas that bloom on “old wood” (last year’s growth), like bigleaf or oakleaf hydrangeas. With those types, incorrect pruning can remove all the flowers. With Incrediball, you can’t make that mistake.

Pruning your Incrediball hydrangea is a simple, rewarding garden task. By following this guide—pruning hard in late winter, making clean cuts, and providing basic aftercare—you’ll be guranteed a robust shrub that stands tall under the weight of its incredible blooms. Remember, a little courage with the pruners in spring leads to a stunning display all summer long. Your garden will thank you for it.