The best time of year to prune a shrub depends on what kind of plant it is. That’s one of the many good reasons to identify the shrubs in your yard. In general, timing your pruning isn’t as complicated as many homeowners fear. Here are some general tips and words of wisdom from the pros:
Winter is usually the best time. If you live in an area with distinct winters, the time when shrubs have lost their leaves and become dormant is an excellent time to prune them. Without the leaves, you can easily see the branching structure of the shrub and decide what to cut. Dormant pruning is usually done in late winter, six to 10 weeks before the average last frost in your area.
You can prune shrubs at any time of year if it’s necessary—for example, to remove broken branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove growth that is obstructing a walkway. However, when you prune a leafed-out shrub it’s harder to see what you’re doing. Pruning during the growing season also has a greater risk of spreading diseases and may cause unwanted flushes of growth.
Avoid pruning shrubs in winter that will bloom in spring. You’ll be cutting off the flower buds that would provide the spring show. The time to prune a spring-flowering shrub is shortly after it has finished blooming, before it forms next year’s flower buds.
Spring-blooming shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, and quince in the North, or camellias and azaleas in the South, form their buds in summer, after they bloom. Those buds live through the winter, ready to open in spring. If you prune these plants in winter, you’ll be cutting off flower buds. (The saying is that these shrubs “flower on old wood,” meaning on twigs that grew the previous year.)
Pruning in winter won’t harm the plant, but it will reduce flowering in spring. If a shrub is severely overgrown, you may need to prune it in winter anyway. It won’t bloom that year (or not as much), but it will return to full form the following spring.
Evergreens are not all alike. Prune most evergreen shrubs, such as yews, boxwoods and junipers, in very early spring before their new growth starts, or else in midsummer, when their growth slows in hot weather. Pines are a different matter: The only time you can control their growth is in spring, when new growth appears as “candles” at the ends of branches. You can pinch back one-half to one-third of each “candle.” Don’t cut into the branches, though; pines can’t form new growth from a cut branch.
Wait to shear formal hedges until new growth starts. If you have formal shrubs that you shear with a power hedge trimmer or shears to create a smooth surface, wait until new growth is underway in spring. That will allow the plants to recover from shearing, which is stressful for plants. Shear hedges once or twice more during the season. Always allow an interval of six to eight weeks so sheared plants can recover.
Don’t prune too late in northern regions. In areas with cold winters, avoid pruning after the middle of August. If you prune too late, you may stimulate new growth that would not have time to grow thick, protective bark before the killing frosts of winter.
A landscape professional can help you identify the shrubs in your yard and advise you on how to prune them.
Pruning bushes is an essential gardening task that helps maintain plant health and appearance. However, knowing when to prune bushes can be confusing since the ideal timing depends on the type of bush. This article will explain when and how to prune different types of bushes for the best results.
Why Prune Bushes?
Pruning accomplishes several important goals:
- Removes dead, damaged, or diseased branches
- Thins out overcrowded branches to improve air circulation
- Encourages flower and fruit production
- Controls size and shape
- Rejuvenates old shrubs
Pruning is crucial for bush health. Overgrown, congested branches are susceptible to pests, diseases, and breakage. Strategic pruning stimulates new growth and can help extend the plant’s lifespan.
When to Prune Spring-Flowering Bushes
Spring-flowering bushes like lilac, forsythia, spirea, and some azaleas bloom on old wood or stems from the previous year Prune these bushes immediately after flowering Pruning in late winter or early spring removes potential flower buds. Late summer pruning won’t leave the bush enough time to harden off new growth before winter.
Key Takeaway: Prune spring-flowering bushes right after blooming ends.
When to Prune Summer-Flowering Bushes
Bushes that bloom in summer, such as rose of sharon, hydrangea (except oakleaf, panicle, and bigleaf), summersweet, bush honeysuckle, and panicled hydrangea bloom on new wood or the current season’s growth. For maximum flowers, prune these bushes in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Key Takeaway: Prune summer-blooming bushes in late winter or early spring.
When to Prune Evergreen Flowering Bushes
Broadleaf evergreen bushes like rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, camellia, and mahonia flower in spring. Prune them soon after flowering, before mid-summer. This avoids removing next year’s flower buds. You can also prune lightly for shaping in early spring before new growth emerges.
Key Takeaway: Prune evergreen flowering bushes soon after spring flowering.
When to Prune Non-Flowering Bushes
Deciduous bushes grown for foliage interest like boxwood, arborvitae, and privet can be trimmed as needed from spring to mid-summer. Avoid pruning late in the season when new growth may not harden off in time for winter. For major corrective pruning, it’s best to trim these bushes in late winter or early spring.
Key Takeaway: Prune non-flowering bushes in early spring or as needed until mid-summer.
When to Prune Overgrown Bushes
Neglected, overgrown bushes often bloom sparsely and develop bare, twiggy bases. These bushes benefit from rejuvenation pruning – cutting all stems to 6-12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. The bush will resprout from the roots and renew itself with healthier, fuller growth.
Good candidates for rejuvenation pruning include lilac, forsythia, spirea, weigela, hydrangea, and other fast-growing deciduous bushes. Avoid rejuvenating slow-growing bushes like boxwood and juniper.
Key Takeaway: Rejuvenate overgrown bushes in late winter or early spring by cutting all stems close to the ground.
When to Prune Hedges
Evergreen hedges like yew and boxwood can be trimmed as needed from mid-spring through summer to maintain their shape. Stop shearing 6 weeks before your first fall frost so new growth can harden off. For formal hedges, trim again before new growth emerges in spring.
Informal, flowering hedges of lilac, viburnum, etc can be lightly pruned after flowering or as needed to shape and remove dead branches.
Key Takeaway: Prune evergreen hedge trimmings as needed during the growing season. Flowering hedges are best pruned right after flowering.
How to Properly Prune Bushes
Follow these tips for proper pruning technique:
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Always use clean, sharp pruners or loppers. Sterilize tools before and after each pruning with rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach.
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Make pruning cuts just above an outward facing bud or branch. Cut at a 45 degree angle about 1⁄4 inch above the bud.
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Avoid leaving branch stubs. Prune back to the trunk or parent branch.
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Thin out older, unproductive branches all the way to the ground to encourage new growth.
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Remove suckers sprouting from the base and inward growing branches.
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After major pruning, fertilize bushes with a balanced organic fertilizer to stimulate regrowth.
Proper pruning technique keeps bushes healthy, promotes blooms and fruit, and maintains a natural, attractive shape.
Pruning Do’s and Don’ts
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DO prune broken, dead, or diseased branches immediately.
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DO sterilize pruning tools before each use.
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DON’T prune spring flowering bushes in fall or winter.
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DON’T shear bushes into tight, ball shapes.
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DON’T leave branch stubs when pruning.
Following these simple do’s and don’ts will lead to successfully pruned bushes that thrive for years to come.
Pruning Tools
Having the right pruning tools makes the job easier. Here are the tools you’ll need:
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Bypass hand pruners for stems up to 1⁄2 inch diameter
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Loppers for thicker stems from 1⁄2 to 2 inches diameter
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Pruning saw for large branches
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Pole pruner or pruner for high branches
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Sterilizing solution – rubbing alcohol, diluted bleach
Invest in quality tools. Sharp blades make cleaner cuts that heal quickly. Well-made tools last for years.
While it may seem intimidating, pruning bushes properly is a vital task for any gardener. Follow the guidelines in this article to determine the best pruning times and techniques for your bushes. With the right approach and tools, you’ll enjoy healthier, more productive plants for years to come. Proper pruning encourages new growth, ample blooms, and it helps extend the lifespan of treasured bushes in your landscape.
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The best time of year to prune a shrub depends on what kind of plant it is. That’s one of the many good reasons to identify the shrubs in your yard. In general, timing your pruning isn’t as complicated as many homeowners fear. Here are some general tips and words of wisdom from the pros:
Winter is usually the best time. If you live in an area with distinct winters, the time when shrubs have lost their leaves and become dormant is an excellent time to prune them. Without the leaves, you can easily see the branching structure of the shrub and decide what to cut. Dormant pruning is usually done in late winter, six to 10 weeks before the average last frost in your area.
You can prune shrubs at any time of year if it’s necessary—for example, to remove broken branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove growth that is obstructing a walkway. However, when you prune a leafed-out shrub it’s harder to see what you’re doing. Pruning during the growing season also has a greater risk of spreading diseases and may cause unwanted flushes of growth.
Avoid pruning shrubs in winter that will bloom in spring. You’ll be cutting off the flower buds that would provide the spring show. The time to prune a spring-flowering shrub is shortly after it has finished blooming, before it forms next year’s flower buds.
Spring-blooming shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, and quince in the North, or camellias and azaleas in the South, form their buds in summer, after they bloom. Those buds live through the winter, ready to open in spring. If you prune these plants in winter, you’ll be cutting off flower buds. (The saying is that these shrubs “flower on old wood,” meaning on twigs that grew the previous year.)
Pruning in winter won’t harm the plant, but it will reduce flowering in spring. If a shrub is severely overgrown, you may need to prune it in winter anyway. It won’t bloom that year (or not as much), but it will return to full form the following spring.
Evergreens are not all alike. Prune most evergreen shrubs, such as yews, boxwoods and junipers, in very early spring before their new growth starts, or else in midsummer, when their growth slows in hot weather. Pines are a different matter: The only time you can control their growth is in spring, when new growth appears as “candles” at the ends of branches. You can pinch back one-half to one-third of each “candle.” Don’t cut into the branches, though; pines can’t form new growth from a cut branch.
Wait to shear formal hedges until new growth starts. If you have formal shrubs that you shear with a power hedge trimmer or shears to create a smooth surface, wait until new growth is underway in spring. That will allow the plants to recover from shearing, which is stressful for plants. Shear hedges once or twice more during the season. Always allow an interval of six to eight weeks so sheared plants can recover.
Don’t prune too late in northern regions. In areas with cold winters, avoid pruning after the middle of August. If you prune too late, you may stimulate new growth that would not have time to grow thick, protective bark before the killing frosts of winter.
A landscape professional can help you identify the shrubs in your yard and advise you on how to prune them.
How to Prune Bushes & Shrubs | Lawn & Garden Care
FAQ
What month is best to trim bushes?
Late fall (right around the first frost) and very early spring (right around the last frost) are generally the best times to prune. The plants in your picture don’t seem completely dormant and thus it seems like right now is the perfect time to prune.
What month should I start pruning?
Deciduous shrubs – between February & April. Old, large & overgrown shrubs – late February to early April. Summer-flowering shrubs – February, March, or April.Jul 10, 2019
Is there a wrong time to trim shrubs?
Don’t Prune in Late Summer and Fall – Pruning shrubs in August or early September may encourage a late flush of growth.
Is it better to prune shrubs in fall or spring?
After “how?”, the second most-asked question we get about pruning is “when?” (Or, “Can I prune this now?”) The rule of thumb is to prune immediately after bloom for flowering shrubs, in late winter or early spring for non-blooming shrubs (particularly for heavy pruning), and not after mid-August for any shrubs.
When to prune trees & shrubs?
When to prune trees and shrubs is a hot topic, and there’s no question that spring is the ideal time to inspect your trees and shrubs for winter damage. It is much easier to see the structure of deciduous plants without their leaves, so pruning can be accomplished quickly and easily.
Should you prune a bush?
Pruning flush with the main stem at a branch’s point of origin gives the shrub its best chance of healing from the wound. Pruning is essential for keeping trees and shrubs healthy and looking good, and in many cases, pruning a bush is a DIY-able project that a homeowner can perform with just a few good pruning tools.
Should you prune shrubs in the fall?
Avoid pruning shrubs in the fall. Pruning encourages new growth that won’t harden off sufficiently before the first frosts. This makes it susceptible to winter injury. The only time you should prune in the fall is to remove dead or diseased limbs. What happens if you prune shrubs too early?
When should you prune a hedge?
For an established shrub or small tree, one assertive pruning session each growing season should be the maximum. At other times, pruning should be limited to the removal of dead or diseased branches, or simple shaping pruning to keep hedges in their proper shape. For most shrubs, late winter or early spring is the best time to prune.
Can You prune a tree too soon?
If you prune the tree too much or too soon, you could stunt its growth at a time when it needs lots of top growth to help its new roots grow. Most shrubs and small ornamental trees can be pruned according to the 1/3 rule. But for larger shade trees, pruning should stop at no more than 1/4 of the total branches.
How often should a shrub be pruned?
Mature shrubs should be pruned hard, cutting back most flowering stems to a healthy new shoot and taking the oldest growth (but no more than 1/3 of the oldest stems) back to the base yearly so it is completely renewed every few years. A very overgrown shrub should be renewed in this gradual manner, too.