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Spring Pruning

What needs to be pruned in the spring, and when should it be done, is always a question we are asked this time of year. The purpose of pruning is to make sure that plants are as healthy as possible going into the growing season. The timing of pruning is critical and is related to the type of flowering plant or shrub. Pruning too early may actually cause more harm than good. Russian sage is a deciduous shrub that needs to be pruned hard each spring as new growth is breaking in order to keep the plant neat. If not pruned back enough, sage will become leggy, fall over, and accumulate a lot of dead wood.

Hydrangeas are another shrub that responds well to pruning. Pruning hydrangeas is not essential, but plants flower much better if pruned back annually. The hydrangea should be cut back in early spring before plants start into active growth. Many homeowners have a variety of roses. The most common type is the shrub rose, such as the knock-out variety. With the harsh winter we’ve had, it is best to leave the roses go as late as possible. Roses should be cut back by 1/3rd. Cold weather and hard winds will damage roses that have been pruned too early. Ornamental grasses should only be pruned down when new growth starts to appear from the base of the plant. They should be cut all the way down to the ground.

Proper pruning will let your plants grow to their full glory during the coming growing season while pruning too early will only hurt them. Do not prune too early!

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