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 Pruning At the proper time cut back all woody summer bloomers by removing any old flower heads, pruning for size and shape. This is one of the best months of the entire year to prune flowering and shade trees. Deciduous shrubs like forsythia, corylopsis, quince, spirea, broadleaf evergreen shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons and other early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned a little later, after they have finished flowering. With the deciduous spring bloomers you can cut a few branches early and force them into early bloom in warm water. Basic pruning is done to improve the shape of the plant, open it up for good air circulation and better sun exposure. Always start your pruning by removing all dead, decayed or broken branches. Water sprouts, suckers, and crossed branches can also be removed to improve the appearance of the plant and encourage a better shape. Roses can be pruned late this month or next. Should and Shouldn't Prune Do cut the oldest canes out of all Red Twig Dogwoods shrubs. The most colorful stems will be on the youngest growth. Thinning out the stand encourages more healthy growth and development. Cutting the oldest canes out of Weigela and Forsythia also encourage a more healthy development and produce a more natural, yet controlled, look. Do not cut back or prune Hydrangea 'Nikko.' This Hydrangea blooms on old wood. Cut the dead canes and stem tips only after the new leaves start to appear. Cut above healthy buds. Cutting Back Some plant material common to Garden Design projects gives the impression of being woody and deciduous. Plants like Sambucus canadensis 'Acutiloba,' Salix purpurea 'Nana,' Hypericum 'Hidcote' or 'Sungold,' are included in designs for the growth that they exhibit in one season. They should be cut back to the ground. Other herbaceous perennials like Lespedeza and Perovskia atriplicifolia may look woody but will actually only push new growth from the roots. Additional perennial plants that occasionally will come back with new top growth after a mild winter in our zone are Buddleia and Caryopteris. Both of these plants should be cut back to the ground only after the danger of overnight frost has passed. Should and Shouldn't Spring Cut Back Other herbaceous perennials that should be cut back at this time of year include: Christmas ferns, Liriope, Epimedium, Helleborus (only when the new growth begins pushing from the base,) Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride,' Stachys, and 2/3's of Clematis terniflora (formerly paniculata.) Some perennials should not be cut back at all. They remain evergreen through the season and should only be trimmed of dead leaves after their spring bloom: Bergenia, Iberis, Dianthus, all forms of Hedera (Ivy), Lavendula (all members of the lavender family,) Santolina, Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks,) and spring-flowering Clematis. |
