How to prune climbing hydrangea

Immediately after flowering, mid-summer. Shorten any stems that have grown too far from the support, cutting back to a healthy bud or side shoot. Remove dead or damaged wood at the base. Keep pruning minimal — the plant blooms most heavily when left to mature naturally.

As needed (light tidying only). Climbing hydrangea blooms on old wood and is slow to establish, so restrain pruning urges for the first few years. Once mature, prune lightly right after flowering to remove dead wood and tidy wayward stems. Never cut back hard — you will sacrifice the following year's blooms and set the plant back significantly.

Shorten any stems that have grown too far from the support, cutting back to a healthy bud or side shoot. Remove dead or damaged wood at the base. Keep pruning minimal — the plant blooms most heavily when left to mature naturally.