I always wait for my hydrangea to put on leaves before I cut them back, otherwise I don't get any blooms. I cut the dead parts from the branch ends after leaves have formed. This way I am sure I have cut only what needs to be cut. Then I have beautiful blooms in the Spring. Hydrangea is one of my favorite perenials except that no matter what I try mine all turn out blue or purple, no pinks or reds. I've tried all of the tricks I've ever read to get pink ones, even bought a red one, and a pink one, but when they bloom the next year they are blue. So - I just enjoy my beautiful blue ones and the red one turned purple and is beautiful. By the way, I live in LA., may make a difference in pruning times and techniques. I'm not sure.
I always wait for my hydrangea to put on leaves before I cut them back, otherwise I don't get any blooms. I cut the dead parts from the branch ends after leaves have formed. This way I am sure I have cut only what needs to be cut. Then I have beautiful blooms in the Spring. Hydrangea is one of my favorite perenials except that no matter what I try mine all turn out blue or purple, no pinks or reds. I've tried all of the tricks I've ever read to get pink ones, even bought a red one, and a pink one, but when they bloom the next year they are blue. So - I just enjoy my beautiful blue ones and the red one turned purple and is beautiful. By the way, I live in LA., may make a difference in pruning times and techniques. I'm not sure.