With many shrubs, including hydrangeas, the right cut is crucial for flowering in the coming season. Because some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, while others bloom on young ones. How about the oak leaf hydrangea?
When pruning the oak-leaved hydrangea, it should be remembered that it blooms on the old wood
How to recognize the oak-leaved hydrangea?
As the name suggests, you can recognize the oak-leaf hydrangea or oak-leaf hydrangea by the typical leaf shape. It is clearly reminiscent of an oak leaf with three to seven lobes. In early summer, it shows its white flowers, which usually turn pink when they fade.
Incidentally, this hydrangea is originally native to the southeastern United States and prefers a calcareous soil that should be neither too dry nor too moist. In terms of sun or shade, on the other hand, the Oakleaf Hydrangea is very frugal and happy with what you can offer it.
When to prune the oakleaf hydrangea?
Like all other varieties that bloom on old wood, the oak-leaved hydrangea can be pruned in winter or spring. However, you should be very careful when doing this. The buds for the next season are already formed in the previous year, so leave them as undamaged as possible. Just above the top pair of buds, you can shorten the shoots and cut off the old inflorescences.
In a cold area, your oak-leaved hydrangea may need winter protection, as it does not have long periods of frost in its homeland. Cover the plant with a layer of leaves or brushwood. Here it is also advisable to only carry out the pruning in the spring. Then you can eliminate any frost damage at the same time. If necessary, thin out the plant a little more.
The essentials in brief:
- blooms on old wood
- buds already in the previous year/autumn
- Cut back carefully in winter or spring
- Cut just above the top pair of buds
- remove old inflorescences
- Thin out the plant a bit
tips
The oak-leaved hydrangea blooms on the old wood. If you cut the plant back too far, you will have to forego at least some of the expected flowers in the coming season.