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Pruning oakleaf hydrangea

AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
in Plants
I have an oakleaf hydrangea that was planted 3 years ago, and I haven’t pruned it before, apart from cutting off all the flowers in late autumn after they turn dry and brown.

Is now a good time to prune it?

Any advice on how to go about it? Right now I’m only planning to remove obviously dead wood and crossing branches, but should I do more, such as cutting down the largest/tallest stem (will that encourage growth) or taking the tops off as they’re growing quite tall now?


Cambridgeshire, UK

Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    Hi @Athelas. I bookmarked your thread as I was waiting to see the reply. Unfortunately your thread has slipped through without a response so I am hoping you will have more luck this time.  :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The only poster I know who has these is @Fairygirl and she's having her annual break from the forum.  Should be back soon tho, once spring gets going.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I've just bought one but it's only 15cm tall, so that's not a lot of help...
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    Thanks everyone! I’ll wait for @Fairygirl to return. In the meantime here’s how it looked like in autumn:

    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If it helps at all, the RHS puts this plant in their pruning group 1 which means little or no pruning except to remove dead, diseased or damaged wood.  If you do prune, they advise doing it in late winter early spring.

    It would appear, therefore, that you only need to prune yours to maintain its size and shape and not to promote flowering.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have one albeit not very large but we don't cut the old flowers and have allowed it to continue growing but we do cut back any growths that are crossing over etc.
    A lovely plant.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    Thanks everyone, I’ll take a conservative approach with the dead/crossing branches. I tend to cut the old flowers in late autumn as they look all brown and crispy.
    Cambridgeshire, UK
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