General
Newly planted hydrangeas need not be pruned except to shape into a shrub. Once established, hydrangeas can be pruned more severely to maintain height as described below.
You may prune in the fall after blooming or in the spring after the hard frosts are over. Remember, the later you prune and the more drastically you prune, the fewer blooms you'll have. Prune to the first leaf node of this year's growth as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Cut 1/2" to 1" above a budding node at a 45 degree angle as shown in Figure 2. These buds will be the new leaves and blooms of your hydrangea. If you live in an area that is prone to spring frost, protect these buds with bed sheets or frost cloth (a light felt) on nights that frost is expected.
Figure 2
Established hydrangeas tend to have branches that die back every year. These are completely woody branches inside the hydrangea. Cut up to a dozen of these branches down to the ground as shown in Figure 3 to spur new growth at the base.
Figure 3
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