How can I prune this in fall to make this smaller

4 years ago

I have two phantom hydrangeas in my yard. they are both about 7 years old but the second photo is one that was transplanred from another spot about three years ago.

they are grafted hydrangea trees. this fall i would like to prune it so thst it is not so big in future.

is that possible to do and if so where do i cut.

thanks

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Since these hydrangeas flower on growth produced in the current season, you can prune back the top growth as hard as you like. But best to wait until late winter or very early spring to do so....sometime before midApril.
Lyban zone 4 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Lyban zone 4
Original Author
4 years ago
Can you explain what you mean by prune back to the top growth. thanks
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Top growth is the leafy stems and branches on the top of the standard or trunk that produce the flowers. Any of this can be cut back hard. Just do not prune down into the trunk portion.
Lyban zone 4 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
ostrich
4 years ago
What an absolutely gorgeous hydrangea tree! I have never seen a Phantom in tree form before. It is lovely! I think that its current form and shape is lovely and I am not sure if it would look better with a smaller shape?
Lyban zone 4 thanked ostrich
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
4 years ago
"Can you explain what you mean by prune back to the top growth."

Honestly, you need to do some research on pruning methods before you go chopping on that- you could ruin it with one badly placed cut.

I'd recommend The Pruning Book by Lee Reich (Amazon has it), but any good publication on basic pruning would get you started choosing tools and planning your cuts. It's not difficult once you learn a few basic principles, but there is a right and a wrong way and you need to learn the difference before you go messing with plants that gorgeous.
Lyban zone 4 thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)