How to Prune a Bigleaf Hydrangea macrophylla

[deljen1]

thanks for the close ups. this helped.

[simonzon]

Thanks for this.

Will those swollen buds start to put out branches before the end of the year? I often hear H. macrophylla described as flowering "on last year's wood," so is that what it means? Or does the plant put out new stems from the crown (the ones you describe in this vid as only having leaves) which will flower the next year?

Or both?

Thanks.

[NorthCoastGardening]

@simonzon Nope, they will not grow again till next year. Flowering on last year's wood means that any brand new upright shoots that grow next year (yes, they do sometimes put out shoots from the crown) will not flower until the following year. The flowers will come off those swollen buds/ sideshoots that are on "last year's wood". I know it's confusing but keep it in mind next summer while looking at your plant and I think it will begin to make sense.

[simonzon]

@NorthCoastGardening

Okay, thanks.

Let me get this straight. A stem that flowers this year will contain buds, which will grow into flowering branches next year?

New stems will also emerge from the crown this year, which will then flower next year?

We do grow Hydrangeas at home, but its more the theory than practical advice that I'm currently after.

[NorthCoastGardening]

@simonzon You've got it! If you want to learn more about how plants grow and respond to pruning, I love Pruning and Training by Brickell and Joyce. Great practical info and explanations there.

[wewhitt]

I wanted to say thank you!! I have read a few things here and there about pruning, and let me tell ya - this is the best so far!!!!!!!!

[Mimodorus]

Thank you so much! I am just learning about gardening and this is such a great video. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[Mimodorus]

Thank you so much! I am just learning about gardening and this is so helpful. Greetings fron the Netherlands.

[opalfires]

Thank you thank you Jen! As Teresa mentioned, this is by far the best and most explanatory video on how to prune and when to prune. Thank you for making this video and sharing.

[NorthCoastGardening]

So glad to hear it was helpful to you, Teresa! I really appreciate your taking the time to say such nice things. Yay!

[teresa1280]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for doing this video!!! this is so far the only video that provides a step-by-step explanation on how to prune hydrangeas. This was very helpful and I like how you are actually showing while talking since I am still learning all the gardening lingo. I'm so going to favorite this :)