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Need help identifying Hydrangea type - USDA zone 5-7

last year

I live in Northern IL, and need advice on pruning hydrangeas. First thing I read online was that I needed to identify the type of hydrangea and whether it blooms on old growth or new growth... which is where I am stuck.. It's currently March, and my blooms are showing both buds on the old branches, AND i see some new green shoots at the base. Are they the same plant? What type of hydrangea do I have and any tips for pruning it for USDA zone 5-7?

Here is a picture of the hydrangea. Last year's flowers are looking nice and tan, BUT you also see some green shoots at the base:

Green shoots at the base:

Bud on existing branches:

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
last modified: last year
Given the flower shape and manner of growth, I'd say smooth hydrangea, H arborescens. This is a very cold hardy species that blooms on new growth and can be cut back as hard as you like.

And no, whatever is growing at the base of the shrub, it is not the hydrangea!! That looks like bulb growth.
Minh Tran thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
Yes. The green shoots at the base are daffodils and tulips.
Minh Tran thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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Minh Tran
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks for the quick response! That's interesting to hear that the green shoots could be daffodils/tulips. So pick a bud spot some ways down each hydrangea stem and prune away.. Great!

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