Question
QUESTION: I live on Long Island, NY, and want to know when is the best time to prune my camellia and hydrangeas.

ANSWER: Hi Jewel,
Thanx for your question. What type of hydrangeas do you have?
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Unfortunately, don't know.  Several are about 2 to 3 feet tall and a couple are about 5 to 6 feet.  Some pink and some blue.
Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Jewel,
thanx for your question.  The various types of hydrangeas have different pruning requirements.  Here is a link to a very good hydrangea resource that I think you will find most helpful.

If this still isn't clear, let me know and I'll see if I can't straighten it out for you.  A general rule of thumb is that for flowering shrubs, you should prune them right after they finish blooming.  The longer you wait the more chance you have of removing the buds that will be next year's blooms.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/

This is true for camelias too, right after blooming.

I hope this helps.
Tom