This is a limelight hydrangea I got last fall at home depot. I root pruned and repotted it last week because it was so root bound.
It has all kinds of new buds on it now, so I assume it didn't mind.
Can anyone give me advice on what to do now?
I'm leaving it alone for the rest of the year.

howdy,
im not familiar with working on hydrangea but i dont see why you cant start pruning it to get some shape to it...nice starter by the way

I was under the impression that you shouldn't do too much work on the roots and branches in the same growing season. I'm new to this so I would like to do it correctly. I would love to prune the branches if it wouldn't harm the tree.

Hydrangea are not trees they are more of a srub.This by no means voids it as a bonsai, ive seen herbs used. my experiance with srubs says that you should be able to prune it spring thru summer as long as the tree is heathly, it may accually force alot of new growth, roots and leaves.it may not flower this year but thats what it will take to develope your bonsai.
Best of luck and keep us posted

I'm going to pluck the flowers for a year anyway...probably more.The flowers take too much energy from the leaves and branches. This Hydrangea has an amazing trunk. I'd like to chop it down close to that. Everything I have read says it will back bud profusely. I will keep you posted. thanks for your interest.

Root pruning is a big intervention for the tree, and if you then prune and wire after this, it does the bonsai not good. It has just not the energy for this.

It is a great tree with a lot of opportunities, but I would let it leave now, till next year and then prune/wire whatever you want, also don't fertilize it now, or it will burn the new fragile roots!

Good luck with your tree, and we would love to see the progressions of it in the future!

Well here it is 3 weeks after the repotting.

It has grown really fast with new branches everywhere, it's looking healthy

It has a great trunk and a nice movement, with good care this will be a beautiful bonsai in the future!

The Hydrangea after clipping this years growth back to the first or second set of leaves. I did this to hopefully encourage thinner branching and smaller leaves.
I left one long branch to help fill in the "bald spot".

amazing shot of the frog jumping off the tree LOL. you on your way looks good