Q: We have some huge oakleaf hydrangea that need to be cut back. When is the best time to do it?

A: Oakleaf hydrangea doesn’t usually require pruning but if it’s too big for a spot you can perform selective pruning now. Cut back the longest stems but try to leave as many untouched as you can. They bloom on last year’s twigs, so the best time to prune is immediately after flowering, when the white petals begin to fade.