When should you trim the "sticks" from your hydrangea plant?

Joanne Mello
by Joanne Mello
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 15, 2017

    Early spring when the leaves start to emerge,this way you will be able to distinguish was needs to be pruned.

  • Lxl22364283 Lxl22364283 on May 15, 2017

    This should be done when the plant is dormant unless you can see that they are dead. Then I would just cut them being careful not to hurt any live stems or buds.

  • Marylou Marylou on May 15, 2017

    it has taken 3 years to get mine going. I mowed them over the first year. 2 nd year just trim them. Now it seems like they are doing better because I left them alone. Will trim them again in a week or so now I have regrowth

  • Kaioverbeck Kaioverbeck on May 15, 2017

    Every Fall I trim my plant to size: it is 6 feet or more tall and it takes time doing one branch at a time. So, in the Spring all it has to do is bloom. And it does: blue star shaped blooms: All the Sidewalk Supers think I should cut it almost to the ground like they do. Nope. Theirs takes forever to grow to size and bloom.

  • Carol Carol on May 15, 2017

    How and when you prune any hydrangea is dependent upon what variety it is. Some will bloom on both old and new growth. Those "sticks" may look like dead wood, but they may not be dead. It's too early to tell, in my opinion. If you trim them too early, you may be cutting off branches that will green up and bloom. Find out what kind of hydrangea you have and do your research before cutting.

  • Judy Judy on May 15, 2017

    I trim my sticks in the spring, when this plant is waking up. Then, when I am done with this, I put on a good 2" of peat soil, and this plant is very contented. When rain comes, it is very content, and will do great. Enjoy, and always water in the early morn. Have a lovely day, J.

  • Judy Judy on May 15, 2017

    Also, do not trim this plant too far in the fall. I always trim in the spring, for the strength that the plant has within it, can get into the plant, thru the winter, and in the spring, and then you can trim it down, just about a foot off the ground, and this will do very good. Do NOT cut this plant too short, for it will need the strength that you cut off, for more strength, and energy to grow. I hope you need this info, for I just did look at the other notes, and be alert of the cutting process, for can we grow if someone cut our knees off, and 6" off each leg? Just think on this for abit, ok? Best wishes, Judy.