· Gardening · Ortiz Landscaping & Tree Services
Pruning at the wrong time is one of the most common reasons a shrub that bloomed beautifully one year produces almost nothing the next. The good news is that one simple rule covers most of the shrubs in a New Jersey yard.
The rule: look at when it flowers
Shrubs that bloom in spring set their flower buds the summer before, on old wood. Prune them right after they finish flowering. Prune them in fall or winter and you cut off next spring's flowers. Common examples include forsythia, lilac, azalea, rhododendron and many viburnums.
Shrubs that bloom in summer generally flower on new growth made the same year. Prune them in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Examples include butterfly bush, panicle and smooth hydrangeas, and summer-blooming spirea.
A note on hydrangeas
Hydrangeas cause the most confusion. Bigleaf (mophead) hydrangeas mostly bloom on old wood, so heavy pruning in fall or spring removes flowers; limit them to removing dead stems and spent blooms. Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be cut back in late winter.
Hedges and evergreens
Formal hedges such as boxwood, privet and holly can be shaped in late spring after the first flush of growth, with a light touch-up in summer if needed. Shape hedges so the base is slightly wider than the top, which lets light reach the lower branches and keeps them full.
Any time: the three Ds
Dead, damaged and diseased wood can be removed whenever you see it. Cut back to healthy wood, just outside a bud or branch junction, with clean, sharp tools.
Mistakes to avoid
- Shearing every shrub into a ball, which creates a dense outer shell and a bare interior.
- Removing more than about a third of a shrub in one season.
- Heavy pruning in late summer, which can push new growth that will not harden off before frost.
- Leaving stubs, which invite decay.
Large or overgrown shrubs and anything near power lines are worth leaving to a professional. Our maintenance crews and tree services team can help. Call (609) 454-7355 or request a free quote.