Pruning Rules
Pruning should enhance the natural shape and performance of your shrub. But if you are happy with the size, shape, and performance of a shrub, you don’t need to prune it! Simple as that!
Reasons to Prune:
- prune to remove dead or damaged wood or diseased branches
- improve shape or create special effects (hedge or topiary)
- rejuvenate old plants
- promote flowering (some shrubs like roses and butterfly bush produce more flowers if you prune them in spring)
- encourage reblooming (Bloomerang® Lilacs for example)
- prune to encourage fruit production, or colorful stems or foliage
- prune to keep a shrub smaller than it usually grows
When you select your flowering shrubs take into consideration how big the plant can grow (the ultimate size) and also where you want to place it! That will make your gardening much easier, you will have less care and less pruning!