As of: February 4, 2024, 5:32 a.m
By: Ines Alms
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On frost-free days from mid-February, hydrangeas can be cut back before new growth appears.
Depending on the type, there are certain rules that you should follow.
The best time to cut back hydrangeas is spring.
At least for some types of hydrangeas this makes sense so that they develop beautiful growth and produce numerous flowers.
Not every type of hydrangea should be cut back to the same extent at this point, as the flowers could be lost for the coming season if cut incorrectly.
It also makes a difference whether you pick up the scissors in February or March, because time is running out for some cuts.
Each type of hydrangea has different requirements when it comes to pruning
In the case of farmer's hydrangeas, only the faded inflorescences are removed in spring.
Exceptions prove the rule.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
If you have a large hydrangea bush or even a hedge and would like to give it a hard cut back to a few centimeters above ground level, you should have this done by the end of February.
From March 1st, heavy cutting measures are prohibited according to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, as the breeding season for birds that could nest in the bushes begins then.
In this overview you can see which type of hydrangea you can prune and how heavily in spring:
Farm hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): Since this species blooms on the shoots of the previous year, they should not be cut off - only the old inflorescences from last year are cut off just above the new bud bases.
A few individual old and thick shoots can be shortened close to the ground to stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plants.
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): They are cut in the same way as farmer's hydrangeas.
Mountain hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata): They are cut in the same way as farmer's hydrangeas.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
Snowball hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): They bloom on the new shoots of the season, the annual wood, and can therefore be shortened significantly until the beginning of March.
Pruning is done either a hand's width above the ground or by about a third, leaving about two buds per shoot.
Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): They are cut in the same way as viburnum hydrangeas.
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris): No pruning necessary, flowers and dried plants from the previous year can be removed by March.
Oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): They are treated in the same way as climbing hydrangeas.
Velvet hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera): They are treated in the same way as climbing hydrangeas.
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Cutting groups help with orientation
In order not to accidentally cut hydrangea flower buds, you should find out in advance whether pruning in spring is recommended for your hydrangea variety.
Due to their similarities when pruning, farmer's hydrangeas and plate hydrangeas are grouped together in cutting group 1 and viburnum and panicle hydrangeas in cutting group 2.
Climbing, oak leaf and velvet hydrangeas form cutting group 3. Freshly cut shoots should be protected from night frost if possible.