When to prune Endless Summer hydrangeas (and the crucial times to avoid snipping) – for bigger, better, and beautiful blooms

As the days grow shorter and the crisp fall air returns, many gardeners are wondering what to do with their hydrangeas. Unlike some varieties, Endless Summer hydrangeas require a very specific approach to pruning, especially at this time of year. Because they bloom on both old wood (last year's growth) and new wood (this season's growth), an ill-timed cut can cost you next year's blooms.

When it comes to exploring when to prune hydrangeas, Endless Summer varieties require minimal pruning, so it is vital to understand when the pruning time is right to avoid hindering the plant’s health or impacting any future display of stunning blooms.

Discover the right time, plus tips on how to prune these hydrangeas, to have happy plants year after year.

Why you should not prune now

Pruning in the fall and winter can be tempting, especially as the last flowers fade, but it's a common mistake that can have a big impact. Hydrangeas set their buds for the following year in late summer and early fall. If you prune now, you risk cutting off the very buds that will produce next spring's flowers.

Lorraine Ballato, author of ‘Success with Hydrangeas’ and the resident hydrangea expert at New York Botanical Garden, explains how the flowering habits of Endless Summer hydrangeas affect when and how they need to be pruned. 'Endless Summer is a big leaf hydrangea (macrophylla) and it flowers on both old and new wood. Therein lies the basis of confusion. You can cut it back multiple times in the growing season but not in the fall, winter or early spring.’

Endless Summer hydrangeas should not be pruned after the start of September as cutting in fall will stimulate the hydrangea to generate new growth. Lorraine adds, ‘[that is] not what you want at this time of year when it should be focused on making buds for next year and then going dormant. You can also inadvertently remove bud-bearing stems when you cut in the fall (as well as winter and early spring).’

Lorraine Ballato

Lorraine Ballato is a hydrangea expert and the author of the international best-selling book 'Success with Hydrangeas', available at Amazon. She is also an in-demand speaker throughout the US and the resident hydrangea expert at the New York Botanical Garden.

What to do throughout the year instead

Pruning: prune your Endless Summer hydrangeas in late spring once the hydrangea is actively growing, just as the buds are starting to break. At this stage prune out any damaged or dead stems, which will be brown and brittle, and leave any new green growth or buds

Deadhead wisely: you can gently remove any spent Endless Summer blooms by exploring our guide on when and how to deadhead hydrangeas. Deadheading through the summer to promote the development of new blooms will tidy up the plant and encourage it to continue producing flowers until the first hard frost.

Keep watering: hydrangeas need consistent moisture. Continue to water them deeply until the ground freezes. This is especially important for container-grown plants, which are more susceptible to drying out. Proper hydration now will help your plant withstand the cold winter ahead.

Protect with mulching: a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, can help insulate the roots and conserve moisture. Apply a two-inch layer around the base of the plant, but make sure it doesn't touch the main stem, as this can lead to rot.

Leave winter interest: the dried blooms left on the plant will provide visual interest throughout the winter, especially when dusted with a layer of snow. They also offer a bit of protection for the plant's dormant buds. Wait until early spring to perform any major pruning, and only after you see new green growth. At that point, you can remove any dead or damaged branches.

As Endless Summer hydrangeas set their buds in the fall, pruning after the end of August can leave you without any early-season blooms to enjoy next spring. So, when you look at your Endless Summer type and wonder, should I cut back the hydrangea in the fall? The answer is a definitive no – and remember to avoid winter and early spring too.