I will post a picture here of one of my hydrangeas. I bought a house with many of them and it’s unclear to me which are supposed to bloom on new wood only vs old and new wood. Several have tall bare branches while growth appears below the tall ones with green leaves. Should I assume these should be cut back to eliminate the old wood? Or is it too early her in Central NJ in early June to know if growth will appear on the old wood? Thanks.
Hydrangeas new and old wood
- Thread starter Wonderkids
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Esther Knapicius
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as you live in NJ, you should see by now if any fresh green are coming up from the base of the hydrangea from last year, that will be considered new wood type. For those types I usually cut the last years in half as it can serve as support for the new growth.
with blooming on old wood you should see by now the old wood producing some green leaves along the stems. mine right now are doing so. Best for now you leave it alone Old wood can be slightly pruned in the winter if you need to put some shape to it, I usually only cut off 3 inches in places that are out of shape.
I am so glad you know there is a difference.
with blooming on old wood you should see by now the old wood producing some green leaves along the stems. mine right now are doing so. Best for now you leave it alone Old wood can be slightly pruned in the winter if you need to put some shape to it, I usually only cut off 3 inches in places that are out of shape.
I am so glad you know there is a difference.
Thanks for your prompt reply. It's got me thinking. I know there are some varieties that grow on old and new wood. Not to throw a wrench in things, but I suppose even if these were that, I'd be seeing new growth on the old wood.