Pruning trees, shrubs and perennials can greatly improve their growth and flowering. Learn how, when and what to prune to get the best results for your plants.
General tips for pruning plants
Before you start, remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches as they attract insects and can cause disease. Also, be sure to remove crossing branches, new shoots that grow from old bark or from old branches often due to stress or pruning, and strong shoots near or below the ground.
Pruning hydrangeas
Hydrangeas, especially large-leaved species such as “Endless Summer”, bloom on both old and new branches. In these species, even if you cut off some of the flower buds by removing old stems, the plant will still bloom on new branches. Pruning is recommended before mid-summer, while panicle and smooth hydrangeas can be pruned at any time except before flowering, as they bloom on new branches.
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Trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring
Flowers that appear in spring, such as lilacs and rhododendrons, are best pruned after flowering. Remove older shoots to encourage new growth. For spring flowers to bloom strongly, remove some of the oldest shoots all the way to the ground. This allows the younger stems to grow and flower.
Trees and shrubs that bloom in summer
Prune summer-blooming plants, such as potentillas and ornamental shrubs, in winter while they are dormant or in early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune them all the way to the ground in late winter, they will bloom again in summer.
TIP: Use a long-handled tool with a rotating head to help cut ground-level branches from the base of the plant. In this way, you not only save time, but also your back.
Pruning of decorative leafy bushes and hedges
For shrubs that are grown primarily for their ornamental foliage, pruning is best avoided in late fall because the plant continues to grow after pruning. Major pruning is best done in winter, while the plant is dormant.
For shrubs such as boxwood, frequent pruning of new shoots during the early part of the growing season is recommended to maintain their size and shape. Make the top slightly narrower than the base so that the upper branches do not overshadow the lower ones. Stop trimming the hedge about six weeks before the average first frost.
The best time for a more intensive haircut is late winter to early spring or mid to late summer. If you are growing a hedge for privacy, reduce the amount of pruning required by choosing shrubs that grow only to the height and width necessary to provide a screen. Allow them to grow into their natural shape, and you won’t need to prune as often.
When to prune roses
Climbing roses and other species that bloom once a year should be pruned after flowering. Prune hybrid and modern roses in the spring to remove damaged stems and shape the plant.
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Pruning deciduous trees
Deciduous trees, such as oak and linden, are best pruned in winter. This time makes it easier to see the branching structure and reduces the risk of disease.
Pruning fruit trees
Fruits such as prune apples and peaches in the middle of winter in order to “open the tree” and provide more light and a better crop. Dormant pruning is especially important for apples, pears and plums, because pruning wounds during the growing season expose the trees to bacterial blight.
When to prune evergreens
Evergreen plants are best pruned in early spring. Conifers are pruned early in the growing season, avoid cutting the woody part that does not have green needles as it can stop new growth.
Pines require careful pruning. They form buds only at the tips of the branches, prune them before the new shoots become woody and before the pine needles are fully spread. For best results, remove only a portion of the new growth, up to half of the spreading needles.
Pruning perennial and annual plants
Removing wilted flowers from perennials encourages new blooms, while regular removal of wilted flowers from annuals, such as petunias, encourages growth and ensures better blooms.
How do PETUNIAS get MORE FLOWERS? – Fertilization and removal of zappers
When to prune berries
Keep berry fruit bushes like blueberries, gooseberries and currants productive by removing old stems each winter. The most fertile parts are three years old or less.
For raspberries and blackberries, remove two-year-old branches after fruiting. After it bears fruit, that cane dies, but at the same time, this year’s new branches develop, which will bear fruit next year.
Pruning the vine
Grapes require regular pruning in order to be productive. Grapes grow on lateral branches, which are shoots from the woody trunk in the current season. Prune close to the side branches of the tree during the dormant season for the best yield.
Source: www.agromedia.rs
