Panicle hydrangeas, botanically Hydrangea paniculata, originally come from China and Japan. With their white flowers in panicles, which turn purple in the Vanilla Fraise variety, they are a popular eye-catcher in domestic gardens. Its main flowering period is from July to August. In winter, even the faded panicles are a beautiful garden ornament. The plants are easy to care for, but should be trimmed regularly. You can find out when the right time is for this here.
time
In contrast to other hydrangeas, most varieties of panicle hydrangeas flower on fresh wood. The flowers therefore develop on the young shoots that sprout in spring. Therefore, the panicle hydrangea is best cut before it sprout in spring. The exact time depends on the weather. In any case, the shrub should be pruned after the last frost, otherwise cold can penetrate the branches through the cuts and freeze them to death. When is the best time to make the cut?
- not a very sunny day
- no rain
- overcast sky is best
- Frost free
- between mid-March and early April
But the "when?" can also be delayed: If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can postpone the cut until the end of April.
To cut
pruning in the fall
In principle, a panicle hydrangea can also be cut in autumn. While this isn't the best time, the shrub tolerates pruning even at this time of year. However, a cut in late autumn should only be made if you want to avoid withered flowers or if you want to use the dried flowers in floristry. In terms of care, it is better for the plant if you do not cut off the flowers in late autumn. They are a very good winter protection for the shrub. It also looks pretty when the faded panicles are covered with snow.
Drastic cutback
The panicle hydrangea tolerates pruning well. A strong pruning will not harm the shrub. On the contrary, it stimulates the plant to develop more flowers, some of which can then be larger. However, when pruning, it is important to consider how large the shrub should be in the garden at the end. If it is cut back vigorously every spring, it will of course remain smaller than with a moderate cut. For strong pruning, cut back the shrub to 15 to 20 centimeters. You will see that the panicle hydrangea will quickly sprout again.
The following reasons speak in favor of a strong cut:
- Shrub remains small and compact
- more blooms
- strong branches and twigs
- Shrub does not age
Moderate cut
Should the shrub gain in girth and size; Panicle hydrangeas grow around 50 centimeters per year if they are not cut radically every year. This is not absolutely necessary either. Panicle hydrangeas do not require a vigorous pruning every year.
A moderate pruning is enough for the shrub to grow:
- Shorten side shoots to a maximum of 10 centimeters
- two or three eyes should remain
However, dead and diseased wood must also be removed during this cut. Both cost the shrub unnecessary strength, which the panicle hydrangea lacks elsewhere, for example when developing flowers. In addition, dead wood makes the shrub look stunted over time. Diseased wood can become a real threat to the shrub. It is the gateway for fungi and bacteria. Extremely densely growing branches must also be removed when pruning moderately. If the branches grow too dense, they take up space and light from each other, so that the panicle hydrangea forms fewer or no flower panicles in these places.
tool
tools and sanitation
Cutting shrubs and plants always requires appropriate tools and hygiene. Under no circumstances should you simply tear off branches or shoots. Removing branches by any means causes wounds to the plant. And these should be kept as small as possible so that they heal faster. Because open wounds are easy and convenient points of entry into the plant for pests of all kinds.
Therefore, when pruning Hydrangea paniculata, pay attention to:
- clean tool
- It is best to use sharp pruning shears
- remove thick branches with a saw
- never cut in the rain
To ensure that no pests are brought in via the tool, clean the scissors and saws before you start cutting, even if the plant species is the same.
exceptions
Exceptions to the cutting instructions
There are now different varieties of panicle hydrangeas. As a rule, these are cut in the spring, as described. But there are exceptions: in the varieties "Dharuma" and "Praecox" should not be cut in the spring. They bloom on the previous year's wood, so they start flowering well before the coming spring. With these varieties, the withered panicles are cut off and the shoots are shortened somewhat. If a vigorous pruning takes place, unfortunately a "loss" of flowering in the coming season must be expected.