So we have some hydrangeas (blue and purple flowers - two types, and looking at some pictures online they are mopheads and lacecaps). I am not sure which cultivar as it was planted by the previous owner. Last summer I did not prune them and now they are overgrown in the front flower bed. Same for the loropetalums (we have the ruby red).

My question is would it be ok if I pruned these now (before spring) or would it drastically reduce the blooms this spring/ summer? I heard mopheads and lacecaps set blooms on stems from the previous season for the current season. Does this mean I should thin the bush out (i.e. cut 50% of the stems down to the base) so that I will still have some blooms or should I prune all stems to half the height?

Same question goes for the loropetalum. Thanks for helping me out with this!