Like many other garden enthusiasts, do you find it difficult to estimate when you should prune your shrubs? Don't worry, we're here to help! The pruning period depends on a number of guidelines, such as the flowering period of the shrub and the purpose of the pruning. Pruning leads to growth, provided you do it at the right time. We will help you with when you it's best to prune your shrubs.
Pruning green & flowering shrubs
Shrubs that bloom in spring (until June) can be pruned immediately after flowering. So, some shrubs need to be pruned in spring, the others in summer. It is essential that pruning is done immediately after flowering. If the flower buds are not cut away until autumn or winter, no new flowers will grow on the bush in the spring.
Examples of spring-blooming shrubs are the ribes and the lilac.
Summer-blooming shrubs
Shrubs are mainly pruned after the frost period. Spring is the first period after frost in which shrubs can be pruned. Shrubs that bloom in summer or autumn are pruned in spring. The branches of the shrubs that have developed this year bloom. These are also known as shoot bloomers. The summer/autumn bloomers have faded flowers on the branches in winter. You prune these shrubs back to just above the ground, so that the young shoots (new stems with leaves) can bloom. This applies to lavender, butterfly bushes, panicle hydrangeas and some rose varieties, for example. Note: it does not apply to all roses and hydrangeas. You can read more information about roses and hydrangeas on the pruning pages of these lovely bloomers.
Evergreen shrubs
Most evergreen shrubs don't need much pruning. For this shrub, only dead wood has to be cut away. It is also handy to prune branches that grow inwards, shoots that grow too far or branches/shoots that will get in the way of the others. Finally, shoots that have died or been damaged can be removed. Cut them down to the healthy parts. Examples of evergreen shrubs include Ilex, holly and rhododendron. If you wish, the evergreen rhododendron and Ilex can also be extensively pruned. These shrubs sprout again from bare wood.
Pruning smooth hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens Smooth hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens) flowers on this year’s wood. The buds grow again every spring so you need to prune a hydrangea arborescens (the smooth hyd...
Pruning climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala A climbing hydrangea (hydrangea anomala) flowers on old wood. That is to say, flowers will only grow on branches formed in the previous year. This means that if you ...
How and when to prune the Japanese maple?
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is the smaller version of maple (Acer). Its small size makes it a popular plant for the garden. It even fits in a nice pot in the garden or o...
Pruning roses: How and when?
There are many types of roses, all of which need to be pruned in different ways and at different times. In this blog, we explain exactly how and when to prune each rose. The c...
Pruning fruit trees: when and how?
Fruit trees in the garden? Then you have to prune it every year to enjoy a good harvest. Indispensable pruning tools Secateurs. As fruit trees are prone to diseas...
Pruning trees and shrubs
Trees S...
Pruning Hydrangea
Pruning hydrangea encourages flowering and helps to keep the shrub looking healthy. Only prune after all chance of frost has passed. There are of course various types of hydrangea...
Pruning the Common Hydrangea
The hydrangea, who doesn't have this plant in the garden or on the patio or balcony? The hydrangea is a popular shrub because of the beautiful and large flowers that you can enj...