Pruning Techniques

Proper Pruning can be essential to the overall health and vigor of your landscape plantings. On this page you will find information such as the proper time to prune conifers and  broadleaf evergreens as well as flowering deciduous trees and shrubs, accompanied by listings of some common plants which fall into each of these categories. 

EVERGREENS:  Pruning should be done during the late winter or early spring and again in early summer after new growth has been established. Evergreens such as spruce and pine can be kept at a desired size by pruning the new candles (shoots) by one half the length. Broad-leaved evergreens and shrubs such as rhododendron, laurel and softer evergreens such as cypress or juniper need little pruning except to preserve the natural shape of the plant and to remove all dead and broken branches. 

REJUVINATION OF BROADLEAF EVERGREENS: 

Rejuvination is best when done in early spring (late March or early April) so that  the new growth has a full season in which to develop and mature. With flowering shrubs pruning immediately after the blooming period is standard practice; however, some rhododendrons that bloom very heavily should be pruned prior to bloom to reduce the number of flowers and thus maintain vigor of the plant. This process will result in fewer blooms but will allow the plant to respond with newer and fuller growth.  

FLOWERING SHRUBS:Often plants that bloom early have flowers on last year’s branches and those that flower later bloom on new branches.

OLD BRANCH FLOWERING SHRUBS-should be pruned right after the flowers fade. Do not prune in winter or spring, you will cut away flower buds. Prune immediately after they flower so they have time to develop a new set of buds to flower the following spring. Examples are beautybush,  forsythia, honeysuckle, lilac, magnolia, azaleas and varieties of hydrangea such as Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) and Hydrangea macrophylla (Nikko Blue). Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' Endless Summer blooms on both old and new wood. Spring flowering shrubs such as Vibernum should be pruned right after they bloom. You can generally remove up to one third of the plant without harm. 

NEW BRANCH FLOWERING SHRUBS-may be pruned when dormant in late winter or early spring before the buds become green. Most of these plants flower on wood that is produced during the current growing season. Some examples are Crepe Myrtle, Hydrangea Paniculata (Peegee or Tardiva Hydrangea), Hydrangea macrophylla 'All Summer Beauty', Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle', Potentilla, Witch Hazel, Spreading Euonymus, abelia, beautyberry, butterfly bush, rose of Sharon, and some spireas such as S. Japonica. In order to increase flowering, a few shrubs such as butterfly bush and beautyberry should be yearly cut back to 2-3 feet in early spring or if in need of rejuvination completely cut to ground level.