Garden Quick List
Pruning Spring Flowering Shrubs & Ornamentals
Prune spring flowering shrubs and ornamental trees just after, not before, they bloom. If you're not sure about what kind of tree or shrub you're dealing with, then don't cut!
Some spring flowering shrubs that are common to the region:
- Azaleas
- Rhodedendron
- Mountain Laurel
- Forsythia
- Lilac
Ornamental spring flowering trees that are common to the region:
- Dogwood
- Flowering pear
- Canada Plum
- Eastern Redbud
Also, don’t cut the spent Daffodils!
Once flowering is complete, you don't need to remove spent blossoms, but be sure to allow the leaves to remain in place until they yellow (6 to 8 weeks). Flower production for next year will suffer if the leaves don't stay in place long enough to produce food to replace the strength lost in flowering.
HINT: Some people tie back the spent daffodils to make the garden look neater:
Additional Resources:
Online Article - How to prune Forsythia
Video – How to Prune Shrub Bushes
Video – How to Prune Shrubs
National Arbor Day Association - Tree Guide |
