When to prune back old (inherited) lace-cap hydrangea?

I noted this previous thread - http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=81174&highlight=hydrangea

I am fairly confident that these are old lace-cap hydrangeas ----- they came with the house when we bought it.

they are long and leggy and ---- frankly, in our way of a path and car parking spot.

so - if we assume they are the old type (not the new fancy Blushing Bride or other recent plants avail at the nursery) ---- can I trim them back now (early October - near the beach, greater Vancouver area)?

are they old or new wood bloomers?

thank you

 

If they're too big for the spot maybe you need to cut them down and dig them up, move them to where they have more room. Otherwise if you have to keep mowing the one side to get by that part may not bloom so well.