How to prune paniculate hydrangea in spring: diagram and video for beginners

In many household plots, you can find paniculate hydrangea – a beautiful perennial shrub with lush flower caps. In order to preserve its decorative effect longer, the plant is periodically pruned, removing part of the shoots from the crown. Pruning the panicled hydrangea in the spring not only contributes to abundant flowering, but also rejuvenates the plant, significantly extending its life.

Do I need to prune paniculate hydrangea in spring

Hydrangea paniculata is distinguished not only by the rapid growth of shoots, but also by increased shoot formation. Over time, this leads to a strong thickening of the bush, it takes on a sloppy look, the number of flowers on it decreases. The appearance of the inflorescences also deteriorates, they become rare and faded. Old shoots inhibit the growth of young ones. In addition, bush thickening is a risk factor for the appearance of diseases and pests on hydrangeas.

Pruning in the spring is necessary for the lush flowering of paniculate hydrangea

Spring pruning of paniculate hydrangea has a number of advantages over this procedure in the autumn. Here are some of the positives:

1. Spring pruning of paniculate hydrangea contributes to the rapid recovery of the bush after the winter period.
2. This procedure relieves the hydrangea of ​​weak, frozen, dried and broken branches, which can become a source of disease or a breeding ground for insect pests.
3. Stimulates the growth of young shoots on which flower caps will form.
4. When pruning in the spring, the likelihood of freezing of pruned shoots is reduced.
5. In the spring, it is easier to determine which of the shoots to be removed.

Spring pruning improves the appearance and decorativeness of the bush, reduces the likelihood of diseases, and prolongs the life of the plant. With all its positive qualities, it also has disadvantages:

1. Short period for work.
2. Pruning significantly delays the start of flowering.

Dried inflorescences of panicled hydrangea cannot be left until spring

Why do you need pruning hydrangea paniculata in spring

There are several types of pruning that are used for paniculate hydrangea:

1. Sanitary. This procedure is used to remove broken and dried branches, shoots that have frozen over the winter. Sanitary pruning means any action related to cleaning the bush, reducing the likelihood of foci of infections and pests appearing on it. In addition to spring, this procedure must be carried out in the fall, and in emergency cases it can be done in the summer.
   Important! In case of severe mechanical damage or damage to the bush, sanitary pruning should be radical, the shoots are removed to stumps 40-50 cm long. The shrub will not bloom next year, but such an extreme measure helps save the plant from death.
2. Anti-aging. Carried out to stimulate the growth of new shoots. During this procedure, old branches are removed to the base, on which flowering no longer occurs. After rejuvenating pruning, the bush should contain about 10 young strong shoots.
3. Formative. This type of pruning is required for a young panicled hydrangea bush in order for the bush to grow evenly and have the correct shape.
4. Normative, or regulating. They are made to give the bush splendor, as well as to regulate the number of shoots-peduncles.

Different types of pruning are usually combined depending on the age of the bush, since they are carried out at a time and at the same time.

When can you prune hydrangea paniculata in spring

Hydrangea paniculata can be grown in different climatic zones, therefore, the timing of the start of the growing season can vary significantly. Therefore, when pruning, you need to focus not on a calendar date, but on weather conditions. Panicle hydrangeas should be trimmed at the very beginning of the growing season, when the plant is just starting to wake up. At the same time, the ambient temperature should not fall below 0 ° C, otherwise the cut shoots will freeze.

Too tighten with the beginning of the pruning should not be done either. If you are late and prune the bush after the growing season has begun, then the recovery will take a long time, the plant will hurt and begin flowering much later.

How to prune paniculate hydrangea in spring

For pruning paniculate hydrangeas, it is most convenient to use an ordinary garden pruner. The cutting edges of the tool must first be cleaned and disinfected, otherwise there is a risk of infection. The secateurs should be sharp, so it will leave clean, even cuts without fringe that will quickly tighten. Otherwise, the cut edges will get wet for a long time and will not heal soon.

It looks like a paniculate hydrangea bush before and after pruning

The scheme for pruning paniculate hydrangea in spring is quite simple, its main stages are:

1. Produce sanitary cleaning of the bush. All shoots that have been damaged or broken in winter are cut off at the root. The same should be done with small twigs and shoots older than 4 years, since they do not form flower stalks, but only thicken the bush.
2. In the second stage, side shoots are cut at a height slightly above the 2nd pair of buds. Thus, the growth of young lateral shoots is stimulated, which will give the bush volume and splendor.
3. Thin out the crown, remove weak young shoots from the center of the bush, cut off the shoots growing inside.

An interesting video for beginners on how to properly trim paniculate hydrangea in spring:

Hydrangea panicle care after spring pruning

To help panicled hydrangea bushes recover as quickly as possible after spring pruning, it is imperative to provide it with enough moisture and nutrients. Watering at this time should be carried out regularly, making sure that the root zone of the plant does not dry out. At the same time, it is not necessary to fill the bush; excess water for hydrangeas is harmful. The root zone must be mulched with litter or bark of coniferous trees, this will not only retain moisture in the soil, preventing its evaporation, but also additionally acidify the soil.

Mulching the soil with fallen needles retains moisture and maintains acidity

After pruning, the plants must be fed. In early spring, they especially need nitrogen fertilizers, the lack of this element inhibits the growth of shoots, reduces the foliage of the bush and its decorative effect. To feed paniculate hydrangeas, it is recommended at this time to use a solution of urea and potassium sulfate (2 tablespoons per bucket of water), which evenly irrigate the root zone. 1 buckets of liquid fertilizer is enough for 0,5 bush. Instead of urea, other nitrogen-containing fertilizers can also be used: nitroammophoska or azophoska, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate.

Fertilizers are applied to the soil only after preliminary watering.

In early spring, paniculate hydrangeas can be fed not only with mineral fertilizers, but also with organic matter: a solution of slurry, infusion of mullein, chicken manure. Some gardeners prefer to use a long-acting fertilizer designed specifically for hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and azaleas. They are sold in specialized stores under the trademarks Fertika, Pokon, Green Wood, etc.

Special fertilizers for hydrangeas – a great alternative to conventional top dressing

Tips from experienced gardeners

When carrying out such a procedure as pruning, it is worth taking into account the experience of gardeners who have been growing these plants for a long time. This will help to avoid mistakes and greatly simplify the work. Here are some tips to help you prune paniculate hydrangeas in the spring correctly:

1. The colder the climate of the region in which panicled hydrangea is grown, the more carefully you need to plan the date of the work. The threat of return frosts must be eliminated completely. It is better to wait a while and work later than to freeze already cut bushes.
2. Hydrangea paniculata tolerates pruning well, so you don’t need to be afraid that, due to inexperience, you can cut off something superfluous. Nevertheless, when carrying out this procedure for the first time, it is advisable to first study this issue in theory, and to carry out the pruning directly under the guidance of an experienced gardener.
3. Recognizing old shoots that will never bloom again is quite simple. They are darker brown in color, have a tree structure and multiple bark cracks. Such branches must be cut at the root.
4. After pruning, be sure to clean the bush and remove all cut parts. The cleaner the internal space of the shrub is, the better it will feel, the less likely it is to get sick or have pests on it.
5. In paniculate hydrangeas, from 1 to 3 shoots can grow from each kidney. To make the bush more lush and rounded, you should cut the branches that grow inside the bush, while leaving those that are directed outward.

Conclusion

Panicle hydrangea pruning in the spring should be done every season. This is a good way to maintain a high level of decorativeness of the bush, and at the same time rejuvenate, thereby extending its life. Pruning a paniculate hydrangea is not particularly difficult, and even a novice gardener can handle it. It is enough to understand the principle of this work and choose the right time.