Summer Pruning vs Spring Pruning Hydrangeas

Q: I have a big leaf hydrangea that blooms blue. It’s old and fairly large. This year it did not bloom at all, so should I still wait until spring to prune? Ironically, I have a white hydrangea that is smaller, and it had its best blooming season ever this summer with extra-large blooms. 

A: The reason your blue blooming hydrangea has not flowered is because you are pruning in spring. Its flower color points to it being Hydrangea macrophylla. This species makes flower buds on last year’s growth, so you cut them all off by pruning in the spring. The white blooming hydrangea is likely Hydrangea arborescens or H. paniculata. These hydrangeas make flower buds in late spring, so pruning in early spring is fine. For more detail, see bit.ly.GAhydrangeas