The panicle hydrangea, an upright-growing shrub with glossy, dark green foliage and lush panicles of flowers up to 30 centimeters in size, ensures lush flowers in the garden when other garden plants have long since faded. Unlike most other hydrangea species, the panicle hydrangea needs an annual pruning.
Panicle hydrangea should be cut back in spring before they sprout
Cut back panicle hydrangea in March
While most hydrangeas bloom on last year's wood and should therefore never be cut back, panicle hydrangeas only bloom on this year's wood. Together with the snowball hydrangeas, which also only bloom on the fresh shoots, panicle hydrangeas are the only ones to belong to the first pruning group. This means that the bushes should be pruned vigorously in spring, before they sprout. This cut stimulates the formation of fresh shoots and thus flowering. The ideal pruning time is in March, although you can still do this at the beginning of April if the March weather is unsuitable.
tips and tricks
Also in spring, preferably in connection with the pruning, you should mulch the shrub vigorously with mature, mixed compost.