My Limelight Hydrangea Tree 2nd post
djacob Z6a SE WI
last year
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Trimming back my Limelight Hydrangea Tree
Comments (8)Thank you for your input.I have not routinely pruned it. This is the first hard cut back I’ve done. The branches I removed were narrow which is why the tree was drooping so much. I had a very difficult time gardening around it, causing me to bend or stoop to get under the branches. I actually think what you describe happening is exactly what was happening. Each branch removed already had buds all up and down which would have sprouted weak branches with blooms. I am trying to get a more upright growth pattern and felt cutting back to the main branches was the way to do it. We will see whether this works or not. Debra...See MoreConcerned about my Limelight Hydrangea tree
Comments (16)When it comes to the Hydrangea paniculata, don't over complicate things by worrying about pruning. With all the breeding work that has been done in the last decade or two pick the variety that fits the space and assume everything will get a little bigger than the tag says. These are really no brainer plants. These are my observations with many varieties in my location (MN). If the spent flowers bother you, prune them off late fall through early spring. Get out the shears and do it. No need to fuss with hand pruners and each individual flower. Otherwise the plant will grow over them. Also, it seems like the the more lace cap type flowers tend to break off over the winter. Pruning them back will not significantly reduce their size in a given season once established. I've seen hard pruned plants grow taller than the unpruned specimen of the same variety. Right plant, right place. Hard pruning seems to create a later and more uneven bloom cycle on the plant. I prefer the plant blooming consistently around the whole plant so don't prune or just lightly. I haven't seen a consistent result of pruning and flop prevention. I think age structure are more important. Certain varieties with big, full flowers are more prone to flop with the right weather event. And with some of the new breeding in Hydrangea arborescens those of us in cold zones that don't want to deal with Hydrangea macrophylla even variation in sizes, colors, shapes and timing. Just no blues....See MoreMy Limelight Hydrangea Tree
Comments (31)Well, I can only speak from my experience. As you can see from my pictures, I did a really hard prune. I am shocked by how beautifully it has grown back and prolifically bloomed. I don’t think removing them will hurt the appearance of the trees. If you want them to maintain a tree structure I would recommend cutting those suckers off either late fall or early spring. Most people say to prune in early spring but it can also be done in fall. Basically, the suckers are taking energy away from the development of the main tree trunk. Removing them will let the energy go into producing the tree, branches and flowers. Also, downward branches, weak/thin branches and crossways branches should be removed. Hope this helps! debra...See MoreColor progression of Limelight Hydrangea Tree
Comments (5)Thanks Luis, I actually did try to delete this post and thought I had. But I am not used to using the app and am guessing at what I am doing half the time……. I can still get in through the hosta forum,but it’s still houzz but in a different format, go figure. debra...See Moredjacob Z6a SE WI
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djacob Z6a SE WIOriginal Author