How to Prune Shrubs: A Guide for Maintaining Your Yard

If your yard has become a little too wild, it might be time to give your shrubs and bushes a trim. Proper pruning can help improve the appearance of your garden, and keep your plants healthy. While watering, fertilizing, and mulching are essential for garden care, pruning is just as important for many shrubs and bushes. Trimming back your plants can help maintain their shape and vitality, much like a haircut. This process becomes even more critical if your shrubs have grown too large, have overlapping or tangled branches, or if there's dense growth at the top but little at the base. Timing and technique are key, so keep reading to learn how to prune your shrubs correctly.

 Understanding Shrubs and Bushes

The terms "shrubs" and "bushes" are often used interchangeably, though they technically differ. Generally, shrubs are woody plants with several stems and one root system, often shaped or pruned, while bushes can refer to single-stemmed plants or those with multiple stems that grow more freely. When pruning, it's important to choose tools suited to your needs, whether you are left- or right-handed. Make sure to use the proper tool for the best cuts, as using them incorrectly can affect your results.

Getting Started with Pruning

Begin by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged wood. This helps prevent the spread of disease and improves the plant’s overall health. Follow the “one-third rule,” which suggests you should never remove more than one-third of a shrub's healthy growth at a time. Over-pruning can stress the plant and stunt its growth, while too little pruning can lead to overcrowding and weak branches. For established plants, focus on cutting about half an inch above a healthy bud, making sure the cut is angled downward so water doesn’t accumulate and cause rot. When selecting which bud to prune above, choose one that faces inward or outward, depending on the direction you want the new growth to follow.

Pruning Roses

 Dead and damaged canes of roses can be pruned at any time. If you're in a cold climate, prune when the buds begin to swell in the spring, and in warmer climates, prune just before new growth starts. For grafted roses, make sure to remove any growth below the graft union. Always cut just above an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle, which encourages more sunlight and air circulation. Knock-Out roses can benefit from a trim in late winter or early spring, and for optimal health, consider removing 2/3 of their growth every two to three years. If you have climbing roses, prune older, unwanted branches in early spring to encourage new growth.

Pruning Hydrangeas

Different types of hydrangeas require different pruning methods. Bigleaf, climbing, oakleaf, and mountain hydrangeas bloom on old wood and should be pruned shortly after their flowers fade. Smooth hydrangeas should be pruned in early spring before buds form, while panicle hydrangeas can be trimmed in early spring or after they finish blooming.

Shearing vs. Pruning

Shearing removes the soft, new growth of woody shrubs, and is typically done with hedge trimmers or manual shears. It’s ideal for plants like boxwoods and yews but should be avoided on shrubs like lilacs or burning bushes, which look better when selectively pruned to maintain their natural form. When shearing, stop six weeks before your area's first frost date to give plants time to recover.

Pruning Fruiting Shrubs

Different fruiting shrubs require specific pruning methods. For instance, blueberry bushes should be pruned every winter, with a third of the plant removed each year, including cutting back older stems to the ground. Research the best practices for pruning the specific fruiting shrubs in your garden.

Addressing Common Shrub Issues

To fix a lopsided shrub, prune the shorter side first, cutting just above a bud that faces in the direction you want the plant to grow. For shrubs with heavy top growth and bare centers, remove entire branches or sections to allow air and light to reach the plant’s interior.

For tangled shrubs, prune gradually over three years. Start by removing any dead or damaged wood, followed by another third of the plant in the second year, and the final third in the third year.

 If you're dealing with leggy, lower stems on evergreen shrubs like rhododendrons or mountain laurels, pinch off the terminal buds to encourage new growth further down the stems.

Pruning Tips for Success

1.      Keep your tools sharp: Clean cuts are less likely to harm your plants.

2.     Disinfect your tools: To prevent the spread of diseases, clean your tools before using them and between plants.

3.     Avoid pruning newly planted shrubs too heavily: Allow them time to establish roots.

4.     Don't use pruning paint: It’s unnecessary, and the plant will heal naturally.

5.     Cut at a 45-degree angle: This minimizes the surface area exposed to potential diseases.

6.     Be safe: If you’re dealing with large or dangerous branches, consider calling a professional.

Selecting the Right Tools

There are different pruning tools for different jobs:

• Pruning shears: Best for branches up to 1 1/2 inches thick. Bypass shears are ideal for a clean, scissor-like cut.

• Looping shears: Suitable for larger branches over 1 3/4 inches.

• Pruning saws: Necessary for branches two inches or more in diameter.

• Gloves: Protect your hands and arms while pruning. There are various styles to suit different needs, from flexible to puncture-resistant gloves.

Why Prune Shrubs?

Pruning helps enhance the shape of your shrubs and encourages better air circulation and sunlight penetration. It also promotes the growth of more fruit or flowers, resulting in larger blooms and a healthier overall plant. Regular pruning maintains the desired size and shape of your shrubs, whether you're working on a hedge or a topiary.

When to Prune Shrub?

While winter is usually the best time to prune when shrubs are dormant, it’s important not to prune spring-blooming shrubs at this time. Cutting off the buds will cause you to lose some or all of your spring flowers. Instead, prune these plants after they finish blooming. Spring-blooming shrubs include forsythias, lilacs, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons.