How to Cut Back Oakleaf Hydrangeas
- 1). Permit the summer flower display to end before any pruning. The white flowers begin to blush pink and salmon-red before becoming dried and beige. These may be retained and used in floral arrangements after harvesting during the pruning task.
- 2). Cut back stems by 30 to 50 percent of their original length with a sharp hand pruners. Do not become preoccupied with the precise location of the pruning cut on the wood-like stems. Make a crisp, one-motion cut across the stem and allow the wound to air dry and callus.
- 3). Allow the regrowth from the pruned stems to grow the balance of the summer and autumn. Do not prune any stems as you will be removing dormant flower buds that will create flowers for next year. Also do not prune stems in winter.
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