Oak leaf hydrangea size and pruning

9 years ago

I'd like my oak leaf hydrangeas to grow as tall as they can as they are planted along a fence I'd like to screen. They are about 5 feet tall now, and with a bit of staking have grown strong upright branches. But a fellow gardener said they wouldn't bloom next year unless I pruned them back hard!

How does one do both, grow larger, taller shrubs, and prune back for annual blooming? WIll deadheading be enough?

Featured Answer

luis_pr

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

That information was not correct, kcandmilo. You do not have to prune oakleafs unless you have something you need to address, such as a safety issue or branches that cross or a need to get some sun in parts of the bush. As long as you place them in a location where they can attain their estimated size at maturity, that is it for pruning.

When pruning is needed, you can do this after they have bloomed but no later then the end of June in the South or the end of July-ish in the North. Those are estimates to prevent you from cutting off the invisible flower buds that they develop from July to August. For example, now I should not prune them but someone in the northern states still can.

Deadheading, a different thing, can be done at any time. I typically cut the petiole that connects the bloom to the stems.

Luis

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Comments (6)

dbarron
9 years ago
Invisible flower buds? I had no idea hydrangeas had developed cloaking technology (teasing)...I know what you mean. Latent buds that won't develop further till after a winter chill.
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kcandmilo
Original Author
9 years ago
Luis, thank you! That helps a lot! Deadheading would be just clipping off the spent bloom, and pruning would be more drastic, correct?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Yes. Deadheading fine - pruning not fine :))

"For example, now I should not prune them but someone in the northern states still can."

Tricky to make broad generalizations like this. Oakleafs (and virtually all other hydrangeas) will continue to bloom in my very northerly but very mild climate until late September. Pruning now would remove current flowers as well as very likely impact next season's. Like other hydrangeas that flower on the previous season's growth, I don't recommend pruning at all.......unless you drastically need to reduce size.
kcandmilo
Original Author
9 years ago
gardengal, thank you! I'll leave my hydrangea jungle alone for now!
ophoenix
9 years ago
I have never pruned my oakleaf hydrangea and it is covered with blooms. People will tell you all kinds of stuff when it comes to shrubs and hydrangeas particularly. You were smart to check here and get some expert advice.
kcandmilo thanked ophoenix