Tips for Pruning Shrubs – Prune before August 1st!
Pruning must be properly timed for the health and beauty of the plant. Use pruning to shape the shrub, reduce its size, direct its growth, and increase/decrease its density. We hope these hints are helpful!
TIMING
- Many shrubs are best pruned in late winter/early spring before new growth starts.
- Prune blueberries in March.
- Spring bloomers are in the process of setting their flower buds for next year. Do not prune spring bloomers now or you will cut their flower buds off. Prune them immediately after they flower in the spring.
- Regular pruning is easier on the plant than random drastic pruning.
- Any pruning should be completed before August 1. Why? If you prune later than August 1 the tender new growth encouraged by pruning will be damaged by the fall frost.
- Dead, damaged, and diseased wood may be pruned out any time of year.
HINTS 
- It is generally safe to prune off up to 1/3 of the shrub.
- Light pruning can produce a bushier, more robust shrub.
- Always consider the ideal shape and size of the shrub before pruning. Prune away enough of the shrub that the plant has room to re- grow into its ideal form and size.
- For hedges, the top of the hedge should be narrower than the bottom of the hedge – so all the leaves have access to light.
- Step back between cuts and look at the shrub to determine where your next cut will be and when to stop.
- Proceed with care. You can always remove more of a branch, but once it is cut you can’t reattach it.
CONIFERS
- Conifers must be pruned with care. Only prune off the soft flexy growth of the current year. If you prune into hard wood, there will be a stub (no new growth will be produced from that stub).
- Yews are conifers that may be safely pruned into hard wood. You can actually cut them back severely and they will regrow.
HYDRANGEAS
- Prune Panicle Limelight-type Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and Smooth Annabelle-type Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) in early spring. They bloom on new wood so spring pruning will not affect flowering.
- Prune Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) and Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) right after they bloom. They bloom on old wood so the flower buds they set this summer will bloom the following spring/summer. If you prune them late in the season you will cut off next year’s flower buds.
Don’t be afraid to prune (at the correct time). Pruning will generally improve the look of a shrub. We sell excellent hand pruners in the Garden Shop. Staff favorites include Felco and Corona brands. We recommend getting a holster as well – so that your pruners are always there when you need them (and not lost on the ground somewhere). Remember to prune before August 1st!
