The bushy-growing panicle hydrangea “Vanille Fraise” should be thinned out and cut back regularly so that it does not form bushes that are too dense, inside of which neither light nor air can circulate properly. As a rule, it is sufficient to cut out the oldest shoots directly at the ground and shorten the side shoots significantly. The best time to prune is early spring.
How to cut a panicle hydrangea Vanilla Fraise?
The panicle hydrangea “Vanille Fraise” should be thinned out and cut back in early spring. Cut out the oldest shoots directly at the ground and shorten side shoots significantly. When rejuvenating, thin out senescent shoots and cut annual shoots down to approx. 30 centimeters.
Is pruning necessary for the panicle hydrangea “Vanille Fraise”?
Hytensias like the panicle hydrangea “Vanille Fraise” are usually sold in a container or bucket. If these specimens are ultimately to be planted out in the garden, pruning is usually not necessary. After all, the roots are still completely intact after potting and transplanting. Only bare-root plants need severe pruning because otherwise the few fibrous roots cannot supply the shoots. As a rule, they are shortened by half.
Education and conservation section
The panicle hydrangea “Vanille Fraise” is trained - like any other panicle hydrangea - with five to seven shoots close to the ground. Shorten this to a maximum of 20 centimeters in the first year. In the following years, gradually lengthen the scaffold shoots by ten centimeters each. Side shoots are shortened to around ten centimeters or two to three buds. Strong young ground shoots should be shortened to approx. 20 centimeters as a later replacement for scaffolding shoots, while weak ones should be removed completely. Alternatively, you can cut “Vanille Fraise” back completely to about 15 to 20 centimeters above the ground.
Rejuvenation cut
Pranicle hydrangeas like the popular variety “Vanille Fraise” age after about four to five years. Thin out old scaffolding shoots except for a pin on the ground. This dries up over the summer. By then, young shoots close to the ground will have formed. If they are strong enough, train them to form new scaffolding shoots. On the rest, shorten annual shoots to a maximum of two pairs of buds, while annual ground shoots are cut down to a maximum of 30 centimeters.
Tips & Tricks
You can remove the wilted flowers in September after flowering or wait until they are cut in spring. Experience has shown that cutting in late autumn is recommended to reduce the risk of gray mold infestation.
