Pruning Tips

Reasons for Pruning

          There are several reasons one should prune their plants. One reason is to maintain the health of a plant. It is important to remove dead, diseased, and damaged parts of the plant to ensure its survival. Pruning can also help to stimulate new and vigorous growth. Finally, regular pruning can help to increase the amount of flowers and fruit a plant produces. This increase is due to the amount of strong and young growth a plant will have when pruned regularly.

Principles of Pruning

          There are two types of pruning, formative pruning and gradual renovation. Formative pruning is done by removing weak or crowded stems leaving a strong evenly spaced frame. Balancing a plant’s framework allows for air to freely flow through it and for light to reach the entire plant. This helps to keep your plant happy and healthy.

          The second principle of pruning is gradual renovation. Gradual renovation is used as a way to rejuvenate old and overgrown plants. This principle focuses on removing dead, damaged, and diseased branches. When revitalizing a plant all dead and damaged branches should be removed along with one third of the remaining branches. By removing these branches will allow for new growth and by repeating this type of pruning for three years will bring your plant back to full health and beauty.

How to Prune

          When pruning it is important to make cuts just above a growth point or in certain plants to the soil line. When making cuts to the plant a forty-five degree angle on the cut will maximize new growth.

 The branch collar should not be pruned as it contains trunk or parent branch tissue. Damage to the branch collar creates an entry for diseases and pests that when gone untreated can result in permanent damage to the plant. For the same reason branch stubs should never be left on.

When to Prune

          Along with the two principles it is important to keep in mind that different plants will benefit more from pruning when done in the correct season. In most instances pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before growth starts. Pruning before first growth maximizes growth and minimizes the time a plant’s wound is open to the elements.

While pruning can be done at any time of year, making sure to prune in the plant’s preferred season can maximize new  growth while minimizing the chances of adverse effects that may weaken the plant. Pruning at the wrong time can slow wound closures which raises the chance for infection from disease and pests in the plant. Pruning at the wrong time can also result in the loss of flowers in the following year for certain varieties.

A light pruning is often beneficial to newly planted plants. This will ensure balanced growth creating a stronger plant. If a young shrub is not balanced, it is recommended to cut back hard. Electing to keep the strongest most evenly spaced branches will ensure a strong framework in the young plant. Pruning new plants is best done when still dormant but a light pruning out of season to shape or to remove dead and diseased branches is fine.

When to Prune by Variety

• Buddleia (butterfly bush) – Pune in late winter to early spring. Pruning in early spring will maximize flower output. When they get too large for the space they can be cut back to roughly 1 foot tall.
• Campsis (trumpet vine) – Prune in late winter to early spring. Cut the plant back just above ground level leaving 3 to 4 buds on the plant.
• Caryopteris (bluebeard) – Prune in spring after the threat of frost. When pruning, cut back to 10 to 12 inches.
• Forsythia (forsythia) – Prune in mid-spring immediately after flowering. Pruning later in the year can result in the loss of flowers the following spring.
• Evergreens – Pruning is best in spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can also be done in late summer. Avoid late fall and winter pruning as this increases risk of cold damage.
• Hibiscus (rose of Sharon) – Pruning should be done in late fall to winter after leaves have dropped, or in early spring before buds have formed.
• Hydrangea macrophylla (big leaf hydrangea) – Prune immediately after flowering and head back shoots to ensure fullness. Avoid pruning after August 1st as next year’s flower buds begin to form.
• Hydrangea (hydrangea) – Prune in spring when the first signs of growth appear and the threat of frost has passed..
• Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle vine) – Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth appears. Remove 1/3 of the stems to the ground. A light pruning in late summer can help to maximize the following years flowers.
• Magnolia (magnolia) Prune in spring immediately after flowering. Avoid pruning in fall or winter as you will lose the following spring flowers.
• Philadelphus (mock orange) – Prune in early summer after flowering
• Potentilla- Pruning can be done year round to shape the plant. For rejuvenation cut back 4 to 5 inches from the ground in late winter to early spring before new growth.
• Rhododendron (rhododendron) – Pruning is best after the bloom has finished. For large cut backs, prune in late winter to early spring before growth starts.
• Azaleas- Prune immediately after flowering in Avoid pruning in fall after buds have set.
• Syringa (lilac) – Prune in spring immediately after flowering. Avoid pruning in fall after buds have set.
• Spiraea (spirea) – Prune in spring after flowering to promote a second flowering. Prune again in summer after the second flowering.
• Tamarix ramosissima (tamarix) – Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth.
• Weigela (weigela) – Prune in spring immediately after flowering.

For more information, please contact Our Growers by phone at 294.6000 or by email at growers@blochsfarm.com