Top Menu

When to Prune Flowering Shrubs


The flowering shrubs in your landscape can provide enjoyment all season.  However, there are a few things to keep in mind when pruning so you enhance their flower production.

Pruning Spring Flowering Shrubs

Spring flowering shrubs are defined as those that produce flowers any time from early March to late May.  They either produce their flowers before the new leaves emerge, or shortly thereafter.  Examples of these shrubs include magnolia, azalea, and lilac.  To produce flowers in the spring, these shrubs create their flower buds during the summer and fall of the previous year.  If you prune them in th fall, you will remove the flowers that they are creating for the next spring.  The correct time to prune these shrubs is shortly after they bloom in the spring so they have time to create their new flower buds during the summer.

Pruning Summer and Fall Flowering Shrubs

Pruning summer and fall flowering shrubs is more flexible.  These shrubs are defined as those that produce their new growth during the spring and, as they are growing, generate flower buds.  Examples of these shrubs are hydrangea, roses, and butterfly bush.  These shrubs can be pruned in early spring before they are starting their new growth, or at the end of the growing season in your area.  For shrubs like roses that produce flowers in spurts all summer, you can trim them when the current wave of flowers is dying.  In fact, to produce more flowers on roses, it is a good idea to cut off the dying flowers so the plants use their energy to produce more blooms.

General Pruning Tips

For most plants, it is better to trim them when they are in an active growth phase.  This enables them to recover quickly from the “damage” caused by trimming.  Don’t prune your shrubs during periods of hot, dry weather.  They are likely under stress from the head and lack of rain, and the act of pruning will provide the opportunity for insects and disease to infect the plant.  If you are unsure of when and how to prune, consult a trusted garden center for advice on your individual situation.


,

6 Responses to When to Prune Flowering Shrubs

  1. Anonymous October 21, 2010 at 7:09 am #

    Thanks for this article. I have a website for pregnant women and recently I have a client that has to deal with pregnancy. I fear for the baby’s health so I am doing some research of how to help my client the best I can. And this has been very inspiring. So again, I desire to thank you a lot!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Landscape Planning - Flowering Shrubs Make Your Landscape Stand Out - August 27, 2011

    […] Generally, they are hardy plants and usually just need regular watering, some fertilizer, and occasional pruning. Shrubs may also be trained to follow certain directions of growth to define a certain look in the […]

  2. Landscape Planning - Introduction to Backyard Landscaping - September 11, 2011

    […] buy a home is they like the idea of working out in the yard.  Sure, some of the tasks are work; trimming the shrubs, watering the lawn, and so forth.  But, there is an upside to having a property of your own; it […]

  3. Landscape Planning - Landscaping the Foundation Area of Your Home - September 12, 2011

    […] maintain a clean look to your home. In general, evergreens require three prunings a growing season. Prune flowering shrubs to help encourage new flowers.  Keep in mind what you want those shrubs and foundation areas to […]

  4. Landscape Planning - Most Needed Tools for Home Landscaping - January 16, 2012

    […] and allowing you to shape the plant as desired. There are hand pruners, tools that enable you to cut the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even […]

  5. Landscape Planning - Most Needed Tools for Home Landscaping - March 31, 2015

    […] and allowing you to shape the plant as desired. There are hand pruners, tools that enable you to cut the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even […]

Leave a Reply


*

Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes

YouTube Videos in WordPress Plugin by SpotOn Search Engine Optimization