Pruning Plants in Springtime

Benefits of Pruning Plants

Pruning plants is an excellent method you can use in your garden to promote healthy growth and flowering! Especially for plants in the shade, clearing out shoots that are reaching for the sun can help your plant look fuller and tidier! This process depends on the type of plant and time of year. The early springtime is the ideal time to prune since most plants are still dormant, they will not lose foliage that is energy productive. Let’s get into how to prune plants the right way!

Why do I need to know the right way to prune plants?

It is important to make the correct cuts to prune plants so that you do not predispose your it to any diseases or pests. Some insects will be attracted to the fresh cuts ; therefore, it is crucial that your tools are sharp and clean so that the cut can heal quickly. Some common flowering trees or shrubs to prune during this time are azaleas, Japanese Camellia, and dogwood trees.

Types of plants and how to prune them:

1. Deciduous trees (lose their leaves in winter)
If you have deciduous trees in your backyard you are going to look for branches that grow inward, display signs of disease, and any shoots around the tree that may pose competition for water.
2. Shrubs
Shrubs are a bit simpler to prune. During early spring it is easy to tell apart the live and dead parts of a branch or stem. When cutting, make sure to cut all the way to the green or live part of the branch. You are going to look for deadwood, crowded branches, and displays of disease.
3. Azaleas
It is important to prune them once they flower to stimulate branching and flowering for the following year. The pruning you do will be dependent on the age of your azalea. For example, if you have just transplanted then you will want to prune the top so that it does not need to spend a lot of energy getting nutrients there meanwhile it settles its root system.
4. Japanese Camellia
Much like azaleas, you want to prune after flowering occurs. Cut as close to the branch as possible. Thin out overcrowded branches to improve airflow and reduce habitat for pests.

Pruning plants in the spring does not have to be a chore! Not only does it help create a tidy appearance in your garden but also helps maintain a healthy flowering and growth cycle! Read our blog on how to Creating Harmonious Gardens to know more about Gardening dos and don’ts.

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