How to Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangea Well

When you plant Oakleaf Hydrangea, you will see that it will grow bigger. So, if you want to plant it, it is better for you to give it some space with another plant. Since it will grow larger, should we prune it? If so, how to prune it? You are able to get the answer here.

Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangea

You are able to prune Oakleaf Hydrangea from late winter to early spring. If you want to do it in March, it can be the best time, especially if you want to rejuvenate your hydrangea.

So, how to prune Oakleaf Hydrangea? You can start by removing faded flowerheads in spring after the frost. You can cut back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds and then take any diseased shoots.

If then you see that your Oakleaf Hydrangeas has grown too large or it becomes too woody, you are able to cut it back. You can cut at the base of each branch where it meets the main stalk. When you do it, you have to make sure to step back to see the overall shape. Also, you have to prune from all sides to make sure that your Oakleaf Hydrangea is balanced. In the summer, it will grow again with new branches and then flower as well.

If you want to prune some parts because you see there are frost damaged, diseased or dead branches, you can cut as far back to the healthy part of the branch or main stem.

If you want, you are able to cut the overblown flowers on your Oakleaf Hydrangea in autumn and winter.

To prune Oakleaf Hydrangea, you are able to use pruning shears. If you have done to prune your Oakleaf Hydrangea, it is recommended for you to dip your pruning shears in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. It can be done by you after you cut diseased wood from an Oakleaf Hydrangea or when you switch between plants. With it, you can avoid spreading pests and plant diseases.

Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangea for Shape and Size

If you want to prune your Oakleaf Hydrangea for shape and size, you can do it after it finishes flowering. The flower arises on wood that grew the previous year, so you can prune the shrub after it flowers so that you will not remove wood which will generate flowers the next year.

You can cut the shrub after the last flowers have started to fade to pink. The part that you can cut is the stems and branches at their bases or above leaves which face outward. You can do it based on the need to get the length that you want. Also, you can cut the stems and branches which cross or spoil the overall shape of the shrub.

Cutting Damaged and Dead Wood of Oakleaf Hydrangea

Sometimes, cold winters can damage the branches and stems of Oakleaf Hydrangea. If so, you have to remove it. If the aim of pruning is to prune dead and damaged wood, then it can be done any time of year. However, if you are not sure which part of your Oakleaf Hydrangea which dies, you have to wait until the shrub has leaves.

To check whether a stem or branch is alive or not, you can scrape a piece of bark with a thumbnail. If the stem or branch is alive, the color of wood must be green below its bark. If it is not green, then it is dead and you can remove it. You can remove not only the dead ones but also the broken and diseased stems and branches. You have to make sure that you cut them at their bases or at least 3 to 4 inches into  living and healthy wood.

Deadhead the Shrub of Oakleaf Hydrangea

You are able to remove the Oakleaf Hydrangea flowers which have been old and fading . It is done to keep the shrub neat and tidy in the growing season. If you remove spent flowers, it is called deadheading. You are able to cut oakleaf hydrangea flowers by using pruning shears which have been sterilized. You can remove the flowers at their bases any time of year for example after they fade to pink or tan as you want.

Pinching the Shoot Tips of Oakleaf Hydrangea

You surely know that the habit of Oakleaf Hydrangea is to sprawl and you are able to control it by pinching off the shoot tips of it. When you see that there are new shoots which are 4 inches long, then you are able to use your thumb and forefinger to pinch off the last 1 inch of each shoot.

Then, you are able to pinch off 1 inch of 4 inch long shoot tips until you see that the shrub starts flowering. It is important for you to note that you just have to remove only the shoot tips and not flowering shoots. The tips of shoots are narrow and tapered. Meanwhile the flowering shoots are thick and rounded.

If you decide to prune Oakleaf Hydrangea for size after it flowers, it can help keep the shrub compact and dense.

Pruning Oakleaf Hydrangea to Rejuvenate

If you want to prune your Oakleaf Hydrangea for rejuvenating it, you are able to take about one third off all branches. Then, you have to prune them back to about 50 cm. It can be done over the following three or four years until you have cut back all of the branches finally to rejuvenate the entire bush.

Well, as you are able to read about how to prune Oakleaf Hydrangea above that pruning is one of the ways to take care of it. As also explained above that pruning can have various goals. You can do that for having good shape and size, for cutting the damaged and dead wood, or even to rejuvenate it. Whatever your goal is, you have to make sure that you do it properly so that you do not damage the plant.