Pruning is the gardening practice that allows humans to help a plant grow well through selective removal of sick, old or extra wood.
And what gardening practice strikes greater terror in the hearts of gardeners? The thought of chopping into a shrub scares the daylights out of the most intrepid souls. Even the simple trimming of winter-killed branches leaves them timid. Frequently, there is no one to teach them how to prune properly. Fear, then, is sensible. Because inept pruning can destroy plants or deface them so badly that you wish they would die.
Even those with years of experience are cowed by the prospect of cutting wood from a plant - any plant. Wood is so permanent, after all. We have been taught to recognize and respect the lengths of time plants require to grow wood. So they don’t prune and things get out of hand. The shape and beauty of shrubs and trees may be lost - perhaps permanently.
The Important Questions
1. Why prune?
2. Who prunes?
3. What to prune?
4. When to prune?
1.Not all plants need or want pruning. Some plants live out healthy lives without pruning - ever. We have a Japanese Umbrella Pine in our garden that has never been pruned and it is spectacular. We also have lilacs that would bloom 20’ above our heads, if appropriate pruning had not been done through the years. It is important to learn about the specific needs of the plants you have in your garden.
2. Professional landscapers should do your pruning, unless you can take the time to learn proper techniques. Learning proper procedure means finding the right illustrated book. We have used Pruning (RHS Encyclopedia of Practical Gardening) by Christopher Brickell and like it for the excellent drawings and clear directions it provides. If not on the shelves, your local bookstore can order it for you. It is a reference you will use often.
3. Each individual plant has it’s own needs and wants. Brickell discusses a fairly comprehensive list, including fruiting plants. Research the specific plant BEFORE cutting into it. This will tell you about the characteristics of the plant, recommended techniques and timing.
4. See #1
Our Short Take on Pruning Practice
Shrubs usually do not have permanent trunks, as do trees. Instead, they constantly grow new stems to replace the old, the weak or the diseased . If the young stems are blocked from growing, the plant doesn’t thrive. So, cutting out old wood is an important step in maintaining good plant health. Some believe that you should systematically remove one third of all old wood each season, thus giving the plant a continuous supply of healthy and vigorous new stems.
Many shrubs bloom on “new wood” only and will not bloom if the “old wood” is not removed. Some examples: caryopteris, buddleia and some hydrangeas. It is a good idea to thin the new stems so each has ample room to thrive. When a lilac is managed in this manner, you will actually be able to see the flowers as they will not be 12’ above your head.
It is always important to wait until blooming finishes before pruning. But don’t wait too long. Rhododendron set next year’s buds fairly quickly after flowering so any shaping must bedone before the buds appear. Since they are nice and fat, it’s easy to see them.
We have seen more damage done by incompetant pruning than by no pruning. When in doubt, don’t cut. Call a professional. Your local garden center will have knowledgable staff to answer questions.
And, please no flattops.