How to Prune Limelight Hydrangeas Like a Pro
Hey gardening friends! Shannon here, your Garden Girl from Georgina Garden Centre. Today, I'm showing you how to prune a Limelight Hydrangea—a technique that works for any panicle hydrangea (those cone-shaped beauties).
Step 1: Identify the Bud Points
Let's get straight to it. The easy rule of thumb for pruning these hydrangeas is the "one-two cut." Here's how it works:
- Look at the branch, and find the bud points—these are little bumps where the leaves meet the stem.
- Count from the main stem: one bud point, two bud points, then cut just above the second bud point.
This method encourages your hydrangea to produce more branches, meaning more blooms next year. For every bloom you prune this year, you can expect two or three to pop up in its place next season. Easy, right?
(before picture)
Step 2: Go for a Hard Prune (If Needed)
If your shrub hasn't been pruned in a while, you might need to get a bit more aggressive. Follow the same "one-two cut" rule, but instead of cutting at new growth, trace the branch back to where you see an old cut—likely from years ago. Yes, you’ll be cutting off a lot of growth (sometimes up to 6 or 7 feet!), but don't worry. These shrubs are tough and can handle a hard prune. And trust me, they’ll grow back just as big and beautiful next season.
Step 3: Don’t Stress Over the Size
I know some of you might be thinking, "But I like my Limelight to be tall and bushy!" No worries! These hydrangeas can grow up to 6 feet in a single season, so even if you cut them back hard, they’ll bounce right back. Plus, the more you prune, the more compact and full your shrub will be, with more blooms to enjoy.
(after picture)
Quick Tips:
- Short on time? Just cut the shrub back by about a third. It’s not as precise, but it’ll still do the job.
- Not sure about a hard prune? Experiment! Pick a few branches to cut back hard this year, and see how you like the results next season. If you love it, go all in next year.
That’s it! With this simple method, you’ll have a gorgeous, bloom-packed hydrangea next year. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Happy pruning, and have a great day!
Shannon, the Garden Girl
Shannon, the Garden Girl, shows how to hard prune Limelight hydrangeas which will benefit them next season. They will come back just as big, if not bigger and will have more prolific blooms. Learn her easy '1,2, cut' technique that you can use on any Hydrangea paniculata varieties (most coned shaped hydrangeas).