When should I be pruning?Most plants need regular pruning after the first few years of planting. This is to insure the correct shape and natural growth habit for the area they are in.
Shrubs should be pruned in July or August after their new growth has hardened off. Under ideal circumstances, flowering shrubs should be pruned within 6 weeks of bud drop. If while pruning you see next season’s flower buds developing, you should only selectively prune as to not shear away the flowers or destroy the growth habit of the plant. How Should I Be Pruning?Some plants will require hand pruning, while some will tolerate power shears, each providing a slightly different effect on your overall landscape. Plants in a formal setting are usually pruned with power shears. For a natural look, pruning with hand clippers is most effective, but more time consuming.
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Why Is Pruning Important?
Pruning your shrubs is important to maintain the health of the plant. It removes diseased and damaged branching, helps air circulate while letting sunlight in, and stops structural problems in future plant growth.
When plants become overgrown, they impede your walkways, block your windows, and sometimes hide your home. Or even worse trap moisture along your house causing forming mold and potentially leading to rot. Yearly pruning maintains the beauty of your property, protecting your landscape investment.
