What is the best way to prune a large hydrangea so that it looks its best next year?

Prune in the winter when the plant is dormant.





Take out three year old wood to the ground to stop the plant from becoming congested.





Cut back remaining stems to just above a pair of strong looking buds. Cut at a slight angle so water does not sit on the wood which can cause splitting and disease.





This link gives some very good illustrations to help you.





http://www.whitewisteria.co.uk/tasks/hyd...

What is the best way to prune a large hydrangea so that it looks its best next year?
Your supposed to prune them in march as long as theres no frost, you can prune them as hard as you like and you get plenty of flowers.
Reply:Take out the 3 year old wood down to ground leavel, that is the wood which has the flaking bark on it and do this after the first frost.
Reply:leave it overwinter as is.in spring prune to healthy buds when growth starts.
Reply:i cut it down to about a foot above the ground. had masses of flowers this year , but give it plenty of feed and water when buds form. not a professional gardener but this works for me. maybe the pro's below will tell the correct bits to trim.
Reply:Be sure to cut each branch at a sharp angle, prune back just enough to get through the cold winter. I always do mine in an oval shape. Good luck!