Don’t let pruning be a daunting task. Tackle it with ease!

Pruning Established Shrubs

While cutting small branches for forcing, it’s a perfect opportunity to plan some pruning. Older, mature shrubs, such as spirea, forsythia, lilac, and honeysuckle, can become overgrown and full of crowded stems and dead wood. With these well established bloomers, new growth can be weak, and flower production decreases. To reduce the shrubs’ size and width and rejuvenate them, follow these pruning techniques:

Know when to prune.

The best time to prune spring and summer bloomers is soon after blooming has finished. This will ensure bloom the following year. Prune off spent flowers, and cut the shoot tips back to a desirable branch or bud to encourage bushiness, but take care not to remove developing flower buds. Be sure to not prune spring blooming shrubs after July 1st.

Remove dead, damaged, and diseased wood.

You can do this at any time of year. Prune into healthy wood or cut the shoots back to the ground. Also remove limbs that rub against one another. To keep flowering shrubs fresh, remove 1/3 of the oldest canes to the ground.

Improve shrub appearance and health.

As the shrub regrows, choose the strongest shoots and remove crowded, spindly, and weak ones.

Remember! we can help you with any questions. Feel free to contact us for pruning advice.