Winter is the best time to work on most deciduous trees and shrubs as they are in their dormant season. The exceptions are those that ooze sap freely in winter, such as maples & flowering cherries. Remove no more than 30% of the plant during pruning. Over-pruning can cause permanent damage. If a large job extend the pruning job over the course of a few years.
Always prune back to above the growing point or to the soil line. Never leave a stem or branch stub as it greatly increases its susceptibility to diseases, insect pests and storm damage.
Hydrangeas have a mind of their own depending on the variety.
Macro and Quercifolia bloom on “Old Wood” (last years stem)
Examples are:
Endless Summer, Bloomstruck, Nikko Blue, Pai mina, La Dreams, Alice, Ruby Slippers and Snow Queen
Paniculata and Arborescens bloom on “New Wood” (new growth)
Examples are:
Bobo, Limelight, Little Lime, Pinky Winky, Phantom, Qucikfire, Annabelle, Incrediball and Invincibell Spirit 2
I have attached some diagrams that I found of examples of Pruning.
Images are adapted from “Pruning Landscape Shrubs” by R.E. McNiel, W.L. Mesner, W.M. Fountain, and W.D. Dunwell, and “Pruning Landscape Trees” by M.L. Witt, R.E. McNiel, and W.M. Fountain.
