Hand pruning

Pruning with Shears

This is one of those topics that cannot be fully addressed in one shot.  So I will scratch the surface today, and come back to it later.  I want to talk about how to prune, and when to prune shrubs and other plants.  Pruning is real similar to raising kids…the more gentle prunings you give them, the thicker, fuller, and healthier they become!  Pruning is necessary to maintain a healthy plant.

The first thing you need to realize is, there are several different ways to prune.  Shrubs can be pruned square, round, columnar, mushroom shape, and natural.  Certain plants do better in certain shapes.  Boxwoods you can do just about anything with, except mushroom.

The second thing to know is what tools to use of which plants.  Hand pruners, loppers, gas shears are all tools that can be used for pruning.  Only a hand full of plants prefer hand pruning.  Laurels, tea roses, hemlock are examples of plants that like to look natural.   All but the roses can be sheared, but it dramatically changes the look of the plant in the long run.

The third thing to know is when can you prune that bush.  This is the section that will be impossible to answer in this blog.  To answer this question, you have to know that answer first.  What I mean is you have to know the specific plant, and where in the country it is located.  For example,

• Azaleas only need to be pruned right after they bloom.  Late in the season, they bud out with their blooms for the next spring.
• Hollies can be pruned about any time of the year.  Except, don’t prune within a couple weeks of the first frost, because the new growth can get damaged.
• Bradford Pear trees, Crepe Myrtles, Hydrangeas, Viburnums, etc. need to be pruned mostly while they are dormant in the winter time.  Pruning after the foliage has come out in the spring can cause them not to bloom.

Where you are located in the country depends on what month you want to work on your plants, due to the frost dates changing as you move north and south.

OK, here is my teaser of a blog for today.  Please write to me your specific plant questions and I will address them as they come in.

Happy Pruning