Knowing when to prune shrubs is one of those things that can slightly intimidate the amateur gardener - the kind of thing you might not be 100% confident about, so you put it off, and all of a sudden another year has passed!
But the truth is that knowing when to cut back shrubs is nowhere near as complicated as you might think - and in this blog we are going to tell you everything you need to know so that you can get out there with your pruning shears and make sure yourgarden shrubs grow strong and healthy.
Why timing matters when pruning shrubs
When it comes to pruning shrubs, timing is everything. Different types of trees and shrubs will need pruning at different times, which is what we will cover in the next sections, but the principles are the same. For example, if you prune when sap is flowing through the stem, you can severely harm the shrub and attract a whole host of insects - before long you may have diseased branches.
If you prune just before the shrubs are about to flower, you are removing the flower buds and you may not get any flowers that year. If you prune when the shrub cannot regrow (usually in the early winter), then you could weaken or damage the shrub - it could grow unevenly and misshapen.
So if you want to make sure your shrubs to maximise their potential, and to grow in the way that best compliments your garden, it is very important to prune at the right time.
When is the best time to cut back shrubs?
The best time to prune all depends on what type of shrub it is - so we are going to focus on the four different types. Whatever shrubs you have will fit into one of these categories, and so by the end of this section you will know the best time to prune them.
When to prune evergreen shrubs
Evergreen trees and shrubs, those that maintain their thick foliage all year round, are incredibly popular in the UK as they provide much-needed colour for gardens through those dark winter months. They are generally quite low maintenance, but will require some pruning depending on when they flower. The main thing to remember is to make sure that they have enough time to heal from pruning before they flower. We've split them into three sub-groups to make it easy for you:
Early flowering evergreen shrubs: If your evergreen shrub flowers in early spring (like an Azalea, Rhododendron or Camellia), then they will only require a light pruning once they have flowered in the spring. This is done to keep their shape exactly how you want it. You should also remove any dead shoots.
Late flowering evergreen shrubs: Shrubs that flower in late summer or autumn will also require just a light prune, but this time before they flower, so in mid to late spring. You just need to remove any unsightly new shoots. This Mahonia is a great example of late floweringevergreen shrubs.
Evergreen shrubs: This group are spring and summer flowering shrubs, and they will either flower on the previous year's growth in the early summer, or on the current season's growth in the late summer. If it is the former, prune these immediately after they flower, or if it's the latter, prune in early spring. Remove any shoots that have flowered in close proximity to the previous year's growth.
When to prune deciduous shrubs
Deciduous plants and shrubs are those that tend to lose their leaves every year, usually towards late summer or when the temperature drops. They do this to maintain their food reserves for when their growth begins the following year.
The best time to prunedeciduous shrubs is either in the spring, before they have flowered, or in the winter, after they have flowered. In the spring, prune last year's growth back (to two or three buds), while winter pruning is the best time to adjust the shape of a shrub as they grow back with all the energy they have saved up. Winter is the best time for heavy pruning.
When to prune spring-flowering shrubs
The best time to prune these early flowering shrubs is immediately after they have flowered, as this will give them the most time to develop new growth for the following year. Focus on removing any damaged or dead wood - cutting back to ground level.
When to prune summer-flowering shrubs
These late flowering shrubs are best pruned in mid-spring, when you can cut back the stems to the first or second healthy buds down. You don't even need to remove faded flowers, as these can offer some protection from frost over the winter.
How to prune the most popular shrubs
The guide above will give you everything you need for the general upkeep of your shrubs, but now we're going to focus on some of the most popular shrubs in the UK, and offer some specific advice.
Roses
Roses are best pruned in the late winter, just as they are starting to regrow. As shrub roses tend to flower on older wood, it is best to use the 'little and often' policy to pruning. Try to keep the balance of older and younger wood to get the right combination of flowering shrubs and stable structure.
Hydrangeas
The best time to prunehydrangeas is every year in late winter or early spring - unless they are climbing hydrangeas, in which case they are best pruned after they have flowered in the summer. The main aim is to cut out a couple of the oldest stems at the base to encourage new growth, which will bring with it more flowers.
Lilacs
The best time to prunelilacs is in late winter or early spring, but they are quite low maintenance so don't require too much pruning. Just aim to remove any diseased or damaged shoots or any that are growing in the wrong direction.
Conclusion
We hope that you are now feeling more confident when it comes to the best time to prune your shrubs. Timing is everything, but once you know when to prune, it really doesn't take too much effort at all to have beautiful shrubs that can liven up your garden for years to come.Shop our garden shrubs today, and if you have any questions about your shrubs, please don't hesitate to get in touch - we'd love to help.
