Techniques For Proper Pruning
By Gardening Editor
Here is a simple gardener's guide to help you prune properly ...
Pruning is a vital part of plant and tree care. This task can be confusing so we developed the following guide to help you prune properly.
Three basic tools suffice for most pruning jobs: shears, loppers, and a pruning saw. Keep them sharp for clean cuts; disinfect after pruning diseased material.
1. When Do Roses Need To Be Pruned?
Prune in winter or early spring when plants are still dormant. Prune plants to maintain symmetrical bushes and to encourage strong new growth. Cut back all previous years growth as much as one-third its length. Remove branches that cross through center and remove plants understock. Also prune weak and dead stems as needed. This will also encourage strong new growth.
2. When Do Crepe Myrtles Need To Be Pruned?
The best time to prune crepe myrtles is in February. Prune out twiggy stems and any dead wood. Thin out crossing or crowding branches in the plants center. If tree form, prune lower branches. Prune top to maintain symmetry. Each year after flowering, cut 12 to 18 inches off the tips of branches that have bloomed.
3. When Do Hollies Need To Be Pruned?
Prune in winter or early spring mostly to shape plants. Cut back wayward branches and prune out weak unproductive dead stems as needed.
4. When Do Butterfly Bushes Need To Be Pruned?
Butterfly bushes bloom in summer on new spring growth. They can be pruned in late winter or early spring. By pruning old blooms you will encourage new flowers. Also prune out old dead and unproductive branches.
5. When Do Hydrangeas Need To Be Pruned?
Hydrangeas fall into two groups. Some you prune in early spring and others after the flowers fade.
- Early Spring Pruning
Hydrangeas bloom on new growth. These plants are Climbing Hydrangea, Annabelle, Grandiflora, and PeeGees.
- After-Bloom Pruning
Hydrangeas bloom on last years stems. These include Bigleaf Hydrangeas, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Lacecaps, SummerBeauty, and Nikko Blue. Pruning should be done when the flower has faded. Cut back the flowering stems to the strongest pair of new shoots. As plants mature, begin to thin out the oldest woody stems. Remove crowded crossing, broken, or dead branches.
6. When Do Clematis Need To Be Pruned?
Clematis can be put in three categories: Spring-flowering, summer-flowering , and twice-flowering.
- Spring-blooming
Clematis produce flowers on stems that grew during the previous year. Prune when flowers are done blooming. Cut back the flowers that are now dead. Prune out any old dead stems as well.
- Summer-blooming
Plants bloom on new growth produced in the spring. Cut back stems before new growth begins. Late autumn or early spring is a good time to prune. Cut back about 12 inches of old growth. Each year the vine will grow larger and stronger.
- Twice-blooming
Plants first bloom in spring on stems produced the previous year. Late summer or fall will be the next bloom time. In late fall or very early spring, prune lightly to thin the stems. After the spring bloom, prune more heavily for more healthy stems to develop for the next bloom. After a second bloom, prune old flowers away.
7. When Do Fruit Trees Need To Be Pruned?
The most common fruit trees are apple, peach, pear and cherry.
- Apple Trees
Apple trees should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Always remove all suckers (summer is a great time). Also remove dead and other unproductive branches as needed.
- Peach Trees
Peach trees are fast growing and need to be pruned in winter. Without pruning the peaches will grow farther away from the tree's center. This will put great strain on the branches, causing them to break. In winter, thin out upward-growing branches that cross in tree's center.
- Pear Trees
Prune back in early spring. Always prune dead and unproductive branches as needed.
- Cherry Trees
Prune in winter. Prune out branches that cross in center and dead unproductive branches as needed.
8. When Do Azaleas and Rhododendrons Need To Be Pruned?
They can be pruned in winter or early spring. However pruning at this time will prevent plants from producing many blooms. The best time to prune azaleas and rhododendrons is just after their blooming period in spring. If you prune at this time , no additional pruning will be necessary.
9 When Do Junipers Need To Be Pruned?
Junipers need very minimal pruning. They should be pruned to correct their shape, to accent their form, or to limit their size. This should be done during the juniper's growing stages in mid-summer.
10. When Do Flowering Trees Need To Be Pruned?
Flowering trees should be pruned after they have finished blooming. Prune as little as possible. Dead branches, branches that cross in the center, and branches that are unproductive should be pruned out.
Next article: Greenhouse Systems - What Every Gardener Needs To Know
Featured Gardening Product:
|

|
The Herb Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Herbs |
| The secrets to easily growing your own herbs at home have been revealed! Now you can create your own herb garden and enjoy all the benefits herbs have to offer thanks to a comprehensive and easy to read step-by-step guide! Click here for more details ... |
More Articles About Gardening ...
Enhance Your Garden With A Gazebo
Have you ever wondered if tending a garden was worth the effort? With all the work involved from preparing the soil to planting the seeds to cutting a handful of flowers or harvesting a few vegetables...
Tips On Buying A Used Greenhouse
Farming is not easy especially if the person is just new to the business. Since this individual is just new, it will be a great idea to do some research and read up to be ready to face what lies ahead....
Take A Stroll Through The Boboli Gardens
When most people think of garden structures, they think small, picturing a fake plastic flower with a metal stem stuck into the ground. It is a garden structure, yes, but the object creates a cheap and...
Recommended Gardening Resources
Yardiac.com - The Ultimate Garden Center


For more information about Garden Design-related resources, see our Gardening resources section, subscribe to our Gardening Newsletter containing news, updates and insider tips, or go to more articles about Pruning Tips.
Related Topics ...
Search for more information on "pruning tips" below:
You are here: Home » garden-design » Techniques For Proper Pruning |
|
|
|
Get Regular Gardening News And Insider Tips

Receive free practical Gardening tips delivered to your email box with contributions from gardening product reviewers, home and garden feature writers, gardening experts and gardening and landscaping professionals. Also receive access to valuable free resources as our gift to you.
Email Instructions:
Fill-in your First Name and primary Email below to claim your FREE gifts and stay up-to-date with the latest exciting news and information on Gardening!
Your privacy always comes first and your email address is never shared with anyone ever.
|
|
Garden Design Facts & Tips
Have you ever wondered if tending a garden was worth the effort? With all the work involved from preparing the soil to planting the seeds to cutting a handful of flowers or harvesting a few vegetables after waiting months, you'd think a garden should do more than simply look pretty or bear fruit for a little while. Even when your friends come over, the best you can do is show them your garden and talk over the work you've done for a few minutes. And then what? Nothing. But the situation doesn't have to be that way. With a little bit of extra work, you could take your simple garden and turn it into something wondrous!
|
|

Gardening Resources:
The Herb Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Herbs
Recommended Gardening Resource: The Herb Handbook - Herb Garden Plans
The Herb Handbook - A Practical Guide To Using And Growing Herbs
If the idea of growing your own herbs for cooking and/or improved... Home Hydroponic Gardening Guide - Learn To Grow Hydroponics
Recommended Gardening Resource: The Hydroponic Garden Guide
Growing Without Soil: The Hydroponic Garden Guide
Hydroponics allows you to grow the plants, fruits and vegetables you choose, in limited... The Gardener's Handbook - Learn How To Create Your Dream Garden
Recommended Gardening Resource: The Gardener's Handbook
The Gardener's Handbook
In "The Gardener's Handbook", the author, Markus Bauer, guarantees to help you create a beautiful garden...
|
| Gardening Directory
Gardening Videos
Garden Design
Gardening (Home)
Gardening Resources
Gardening Tips
Related Topics
Garden Fountains



More Links
composting compost gardening backyard landscaping ideas plant gardening gardening software greenhouse landscaping
|
|