Depends if your hydrangeas bloom on this year's wood or last year's. If on last years, the plant will skip a year of bloom.

Sounds like Kim Reiss (sp?) who lives in a cold zone... Of course, if you live where the stems typically do not die back in winter, you do not want to cut them off.

Macrophylla....some are ever blooming that bloom on both old and new growth and others just old....soooooo, it's safe to say the woman that made this statement definitely doesn't have varieties that bloom on old wood only...

this is what I've read..macrophyllas and oakleafs don't need pruning but if you want to no pruning after July 1st (would be cutting next year's blooms)..for the other types pruning is recommended late winter or early spring..not fall..

By doing what the blogger / OP did, I believe they effectively made for strong branching cane growth from near the base and tricked the plant into making the buds 5" up the terminal flowering ones. 9/10 times the buds within 4-5" of the crown will make it through an average winter. It's when temps get below -10F when it further damage is noted.

I actually ought to try this method Fall 2017, even with potted specimens!

If this method works in year one, I would recommend extending the hacking out to a foot in height in year two.

Naturally, however, an extremely harsh winter means you're starting from scratch again, but no one said you can't take advantage of a few mild ones in a row.

I read about this..author was Boebel?..just doubtful..share your experience if you try it..

Well, as far as I'm concerned, I'm not going to try this...my Hydrangeas are looking fabulous right now,,,,and I have 2 varieties in the same flower bed...one blooms on old and one on old and new...,so going with good horticultural advice.

you can prune it back so hard if it is a panicle H. but not a big leaf that blooms only on old wood. well, I can't imagine it being good for any big leaf.

I know, thats what I was thinking...Im not going to experiment at this point no matter how much I want flowers...followed the basic directions for all types and my macros are all full of flower buds so I guess this will be a good year....

Boebel has had some success with his methods. I haven't tried any of his to the T and gotten any results, but probably haven't tried for a long enough period of time.