Hydrangea is a commonly grown flowering shrub across the US. People often look for ways to keep a shrub healthy, including how and when to prune. However, the pruning time and process depend upon the type of Hydrangea shrub you have. Usually, these shrubs are categorized into 4 different species with different pruning requirements. If you have a Hydrangea Arborescens shrub and you wish to know about its pruning, this guide can help you.
Why Does the Right Pruning Time for Hydrangea Arborescens Matter?
The right pruning time for any Hydrangea matters because cutting it too early or too late can damage it or reduce flowering. Also, while some Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, others bloom on old wood.
Hydrangea arborescens blooms on new wood, so let's first learn about new wood. New wood refers to the new stem that grows during the current season and bears buds in the current season.
When to Cut Back Hydrangea Arborescens?
Hydrangea arborescens is also known by the name Smooth Hydrangea. These shrubs have pink or white mophead flowers growing on brown, woody, and slender stems. Smooth Hydrangea is available in different varieties, including Annabelle, Incredibell Storm Proof, and Incredibell Blush.
Whatever type of Smooth Hydrangea you have, it blooms on new wood. This means the stems grow in colder months while the buds arrive during spring and soon bloom by summer. So, for Hydrangea Arborescens, winter is the best time for pruning.
How to Prune Hydrangea Arborescens Perfectly?
Experts suggest that you can leave the shrub to grow for about 2 seasons before you prune it. Also, if you want your shrub to grow big, you can leave it for more seasons before pruning.
When you are ready to prune, cut back almost one-third of the shrub. However, make sure that you do not prune more than 30% of the shrub because drastic pruning can affect the sturdiness of the plant and reduce the density of the foliage. Foliage helps the shrub in photosynthesis, so the shrub should have enough foliage.
Start by removing dead branches and leaves. If you wish to prune, pick a new stem and cut it at an angle towards the ground. Ensure that you make this cut just above a bunch of big and healthy leaves. Experts suggest that it is not really necessary to prune Hydrangea to grow and bloom. So, if you think that pruning is not necessary for your plant, you can leave it as it is.
What Tools Will You Need to Prune Hydrangea Arborescens?
So, you are all set to prune your Hydrangea Aborescens before its blooming season. But what are the tools that can help you prune properly? Here is the list of tools.
Bypass Pruners
These are the most important tools that you will need to cut back Hydrangea Arborescens. These pruners work like scissors to make sharp cuts on the stems of the plant. Do not use anvil pruners, as they will crush the stems and branches instead of cutting them.
Loppers and Pruning Shears
These are also similar to bypass pruners but are used for specific stem conditions. Loppers are large pruners that are used to cut thicker branches, while pruning shears are used to cut back thin stems or flower leftovers.
Damp Cloth and Oil
You should take good care of the pruners to keep them in good shape for a long time. After every use, clean the pruners with a damp cloth. Also, lubricate the pruning tools with a few drops of any household oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
What Happens if You Do Not Prune Hydrangea Arborescens?
While not pruning Hydrangea Arborescens will not hamper its growth or flowering, it can have some impacts in the long run. Here is a list of the possible problems that can crop up in the future.
Reduction in Flower Size
When you do not prune the plant, the plant diverts its energy to maintaining the existing branches instead of focusing on new growth. As flowers bloom better on new stems, not pruning can lead to smaller and lower-quality blooms.
Overgrown Appearance
Hydrangeas are bushy shrubs and can overgrow without pruning, leading to a messy appearance.
Attracts Diseases
When the shrub gets denser, it leads to poor air circulation and provides a breeding ground for various plant diseases.
What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid While Pruning Hydrangea Arborescens?
Usually, Hydrangea Arborescens is a strong shrub. However, pruning it at any time throughout the year is the biggest mistake that anyone can make. The best pruning time is winter, and fall is an inappropriate season for pruning. During the fall, the new growing stems are still weak and not structurally ready for pruning. So, you must wait until winter for the pruning process.
How Can You Make Hydrangea Arborescens Bloom Throughout the Summer?
While Hydrangea arborescens starts blooming in the spring, you can make it continue to bloom throughout the summer with a few simple tricks.
Adequate Sun and Shade
Extreme sun in the afternoon can damage flowers, so keep it in the sun in the morning and in shade during the afternoon.
Proper Hydration
Ensure you water the shrub frequently throughout the week, especially during hot weather. Hydrangeas grow and bloom best with moist soil, but make sure that the soil does not get soggy.
Mulching
Add mulch on the soil around the shrub to lock in moisture, to get rid of weeds, and to maintain the right soil temperature.
Remove Dead Flowers
Removing dead flowers regularly throughout the summer will encourage new blooms and an attractive appearance.
Pruning at the Right Time
Prune appropriately during late winter or early spring for a great blooming season from spring to summer.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Arborescens is the perfect shrub if you wish for bushy flowers and spring-to-summer blooms. While this shrub does not mandatorily require pruning, a strategically planned pruning enhances its appearance and encourages healthy blooming. As Hydrangea Arborescens blooms on new wood, you can prune anywhere between late winter and early spring before buds start appearing during the spring season. If you have pruned the shrub carefully, your little shrub will surprise you with beautiful clusters of flowers all over by late spring that can continue till summer.
