Grow Your Own Hydrangea Tree

Sunny porch office with potted plants

Grow Your Own
Hydrangea Tree

Save valuable garden space by going vertical with your hydrangeas. Purchase Panicle Hydrangea trees at your local garden center or make your own. You’ll just need a couple of square feet of garden space or a large container—either can be underplanted with colorful foliage or flowering annuals. If using, be sure to choose a container that won’t be damaged over winter outdoors.

• Directions •

Step 1: Start With a Mature Shrub

Start with a mature panicle hydrangea shrub either planted in a very large container or in the ground. Keep in mind this process may take 2-3 years to complete. Find the main stem coming from the center of the base of the plant. This will become the trunk of the hydrangea tree.

Step 2: Remove Extra Branches

About 4’ up from the ground, select a solid framework of 6-8 sturdy main branches coming off the trunk like spokes on an umbrella. These will form the canopy of the hydrangea tree.

Remove all extra and crisscrossing branches that are not part of the main framework. Also remove any errant stems growing from the base or sides of the trunk. Do this every spring.

Step 3: Spring Trimming

Plan to trim the branches of your hydrangea tree back to about 6” or 2-3 nodes (bumps on the stem from which new growth sprouts) every year in early spring before new growth appears. Don’t worry about cutting off flower buds—these hydrangeas bloom on new wood.

Cutting the branches back hard will encourage a fuller canopy and flowers to develop closer to the trunk. If you leave them too long, the branches may arch over under the weight of the flowers instead of keeping their shape.

Click Here to download a printable PDF of the Instructions

• Directions •

Start With a Mature Shrub

Remove Extra Branches

About 4’ up from the ground, select a solid framework of 6-8 sturdy main branches coming off the trunk like spokes on an umbrella. These will form the canopy of the hydrangea tree.

Remove all extra and crisscrossing branches that are not part of the main framework. Also remove any errant stems growing from the base or sides of the trunk. Do this every spring.

Spring Trimming

Cutting the branches back hard will encourage a fuller canopy and flowers to develop closer to the trunk. If you leave them too long, the branches may arch over under the weight of the flowers instead of keeping their shape.