Is It Too Late To Cut Back My Hydrangeas In Michigan?

Question

Hello! My husband and I just moved into our first home and it has giant, beautiful hydrangeas in the front of the house as you can see in the picture attached. Everyone keeps saying I should cut them back super short right now before winter, but I keep reading I should do it in the Spring and I don’t want to risk having no flowers next year! Please help! Should I cut them back now? If so, how short? I appreciate all the help!

Answer 1

They look like panicle hydrangeas which should be cut back in spring, if needed. Panicles bloom on new wood, which means the current season's growth. They have conical shaped blooms, often white, fading to pink. You can cut back up to one-third of the limbs.

If they were mophead hydrangeas, which usually have much bigger leaves, you would trim them immediately after flowering (they bloom on old wood). You can examine the ends of the limbs and if you see buds forming, wait to prune them till after next year's bloom. They have big, round balls of blooms.

If you are nervous about the variety you have, don't prune at all.

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/when-prune-hydrangeas-best-bloom