Landscape design and irrigation systems at Lowcountry Classic Gardens Inc.

Gardening Tips...

Pruning Guidence, Advice and Tips
Date Posted: 9/05/2001 (revised and updated 3.26.05)

"FLOWERS ARE GROW IN INCHES, BUT ARE DESTROYED BY FEET"

The real professionals in the trade recognize 13 major groups of woody ornamentals that require annual pruning. Not the routine cosmetic we do from month to month for the sake of appeal. The sort pruning work required in the LATE fall, winter and EARLY spring consists of, but not limited to the following: spur pruning; dead heading; branching that spoils symmetry; renovation pruning; pruning to promote replacement growth; crossing or wayward branches and to promote a healthy framework. The following are examples from each group and by no means complete.

GROUP ONE:
ie Holly, Ligustrum, Anise, Acuba, Arborvite, Boxwood (a mid-season shear to maintain hedge) Clethra (summersweet), Viburnum, Podocarpus, Philodendron, Dwarf Yaupon, Pittosporm, Leucothoe, Wax Myrtle, most Junipers, (Pyracantha in shrub form), Wisteria, Cassia, Hornbeam, Cypress (early spring), Elm, Oak, Magnolia, Cedar, Cherry Laurel, Crape Myrtle, Birch, Eucalypus, Sassafras, Senna, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Tulip tree, Maple (mid-winter)
TYPE: Evergreen and deciduous shrubs that will flower on previous or current years growth and need minimal pruning.
WORK: Remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework. Renovation and replacement growth pruning.
WHEN: winter or EARLY spring. when dormant; some in autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

GROUP TWO:
ie. Butterfly bush, Deutzia, Beautyberry, Barberry (mid-season is ok, to promote new branching), Virginia Sweetspire,(Jessimine/Jasmine & Lonicera when grown as shrubs)
TYPE: Deciduous shrubs (and a few trees) that flower in spring and summer on previous years growth.
WORK: Cut back flowered shoots to strong buds or young lower growth (winter). On established plants, cut back about one-third of old shoots to the base, to promote replacement growth.
WHEN: Annually, after flowering. IN WINTER, for replacement growth; to remove dead and crossing branching, and to perform renovation pruning.

GROUP FOUR:
ie Hydrangea
TYPE: Deciduous shrubs that will flower late spring, summer on the previous years growth and to a limited degree current years growth.
WORK: Trim last seasons growth/flower, to the first set of buds beneath the flower. Older plants should be cut back about one half of stem length to promote replacement growth/branching.
WHEN: Each year in spring

GROUP SIX: Vitex and Butterfly Bush
TYPE: Deciduous trees and shrubs that flower from mid-summer to fall on current years growth.
WORK: Cut back to permanent framework, for drastic renovation, cut back to trunk.
WHEN: In late winter or very early spring when buds begin to swell.

GROUP EIGHT:
ie Camellia, Azalea, Lorapetalum, Mahonia, Bottlebrush, India Hawthorne,(Boxwood, LATE winter for rejuvenation)(Abelia mid-winter), Azalea and Lorapetlum (aka chinese fringe) are done in winter only when problems exist that need correction and should not wait. Otherwise their pruning will take place after bloom.
TYPE: Evergreen shrubs that flower between mid-winter and early summer on previous or current year's growth and need minimal pruning.
WORK: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry; crossing or wayward branching and renovation pruning.
WHEN: Annually following the flowering of the species, Mid-winter remove dead and damaged branching, follow work guidelines above.

GROUP NINE:
ie. Elaeagnus, Nandina, Ardisia, Fatsia, Gardenia Rosemary,(Clerodendrum in shrub form)
TYPE: Evergreen shrubs that flower between midsummer and late autumn on previous or current years growth, or that bear insignificant flowers, and that need minimal pruning.
WORK: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Shrubs grown for foliage often tolerate harder pruning in winter. Deadhead (cosmetic/tip pruning) regularly, if practical.
WHEN: Annually, LATE winter & EARLY spring.

GROUP ELEVEN:
ie. Ivy, Clerodendrum
TYPE: Vigorous, evergreen and deciduous climbers that flower on previous or current years growth and no need for regular pruning
WORK: Trim to fit available space, carry out renovation pruning when and as needed.
WHEN: Annually, or as needed: after flowering, if flowering on previous years growth. From late winter to spring if flowering on current year’s growth.

Check back one time each season, changes and updates to this page are always ongoing.

(C) 2001 All Rights Reserved. – Don’t even think about reproducing this document without written permission from Darrell C. Snyder and Lowcountry Classic Gardens Inc.
"PLANS SHOULD BE MADE TO FIR THE PLACE, AND NOT THE PLACE MADE TO SUIT SOME PLAN OUT OF A BOOK" William Robinson, The Garden Beautiful (1907)

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