January is when I deal with hydrangeas if I want strong growth and better blooms later. Not all hydrangeas, just the ones that flower on new wood. Getting this right makes spring easier and the plants noticeably fuller.
I only prune panicle hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas in January. These types bloom on new growth, so cutting them back now doesn’t remove future flowers. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood get left alone, pruning those in winter is how people accidentally lose an entire season of blooms.
I wait until deep winter on purpose. Pruning too early can expose stems to cold damage, and I actually like how the dried blooms look through winter. By January, the plant is dormant, and I can clearly see the structure.
If the plant is young, I keep it light. New hydrangeas need a few seasons to establish, so I only clean up weak or damaged stems. Mature plants can handle more. I usually remove about one third of the old growth, sometimes up to half if the shrub is leggy.
Pruning does two things immediately. It reduces clutter and pushes energy into fewer, stronger stems. Smooth hydrangeas especially benefit from this, without pruning, they get floppy and bloom less. Panicle hydrangeas get denser and more controlled, unless I intentionally leave them looser.
I don’t overthink it. January pruning is about timing, not perfection. Done right, it’s one of the easiest ways to get healthier plants and better flowers without adding work later in the season.
