The numerous cultivars of Hydrangea paniculata are famed both for their floral flamboyance and intricacy. The masses of conical or cloud-like flowerheads, prominently positioned at the stem tips, offer many months of interest when few shrubs are in flower.
The RHS has been conducting trials at RHS Bridgewater between 2021 and 2025 to focus and assess new Hydrangea paniculata cultivars. In this video, horticulturalist at RHS Bridgewater Hannah Lomas explains the focus of the trials to work out which type of pruning is best.
You may also like
- How to prune plants properly
- The best tools for pruning
- How and when to prune roses
- Our grow guide to hydrangea paniculata
She demonstrates what happens when you hard prune and soft prune Hydrangea paniculata and offers intriguing insight on how you can adjust your pruning technique according to the type of floral display you’d like.
For more on Hyrdangea paniculata, head to our grow guide