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In early spring I see a multitude of people out in their yards with their clippers, manual and electric, gas powered and otherwise hacking away at their bushes and shrubs. I am dismayed at times because, little do they know that isn’t always the best time to do it. There is, in fact, not a definitive time. There is a proper time for each kind of shrub. Let’s go over a few.
The spring blooming shrub, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Forsythia and Lilac to mention a few, are best to prune when they finish blooming. This could be into the summer if you have late blooming varieties. If you do prune before they bloom you will be cutting away the flowers. You don’t want to do that, now do you? Of course, on the reverse side you don’t want to wait too long after they bloom to do the pruning because summer is the time some of these make the buds for next year’s blossoms. There is a very narrow space there to properly prune the spring bloomer, 3 weeks at best. Don’t miss it.
Evergreens like Yews, Bird’s Nest Spruces, Golden Cyprus and Arborvitae among others, are loveliest, in my opinion, when they get that wonderful early spring flush of new growth. Spring is the best time for pruning these although they truthfully can be pruned all through the summer months and into the autumn. Just don’t prune these (or any shrub) within three or four weeks of your first frost date. Pruning encourages growth and it is best not to allow your bushes to sprout new, tender growth so close to winter’s first onslaught. It could cause damage and even the plant’s early demise.
For the deciduous shrub (mostly in colder regions) and summer bloomers such as Boxwood, Viburnum, Euonymus, Shrub Roses and Barberry, it is best to prune during their winter dormancy or very early spring. This allows them plenty of time to produce flowers which eventually grow berries. The birds will appreciate the extra treat and any they leave behind look so pretty up against the snow come winter.
In the case of diseased branches it is advisable to remove these at once whatever the time. Hopefully you will catch these before the entire shrub is attacked. Pruning does encourage plants to become bushier, helps maintain the desired shape and often can control the height. When done properly your shrubs will reward you with wonderful, vigorous growth and abundant flowers. Nothing better than that.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 To find more on gardening visit
http://www.helium.com/user/show/32782.
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