Avoid pruning these six shrubs during spring:
Gardening 101: A Guide to Pruning
Got a green thumb but unsure about pruning? The art of pruning shrubs can have a significant impact on their health and bloom. But remember, every shrub's a bit different, and some should never get a trim come spring.
Trying to figure out which shrubs to prune when? It's always a wise move to consult a local cooperative extension or a gardening pro before you pick up those pruning shears. To help you out, we chatted with some horticulturists who shared their expert advice on which shrubs to avoid pruning in spring. Let's take a peek at what they had to say!
- Laura Irish-Hanson- Extension Horticulture Educator, University of Minnesota Extension
- David Hillock- Consumer Horticulturist and State Coordinator of Oklahoma State University Extension's Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Top 10 Fast-growing Shrubs for Your Garden
Virginia Sweetspire
This deciduous charmer, Itea virginica, sports long, slender flower spires at its tips. David Hillock, horticulturist at the Oklahoma State University Extension, recommends keeping it in partial shade and waiting to prune it until after it's finished blooming - usually by the end of June.
Some Hydrangeas
Not all hydrangeas share the same blooming habits, and some will produce flowers only on new wood. However, a popular choice, bigleaf hydrangea (say that five times fast!), blooms on old wood, so it's best to wait until after spring to prune it.
"This is one you'd prune in late fall or during winter," says Hillock. For the smooth hydrangea, it may be best to let it grow a bit before trimming, as this variety blooms on new wood.
How to Prune Every Type of Hydrangea (And When to Do It)
Lilacs
Adored for their fragrant, white and purple flowers, lilacs (Syringa) are another spring-time favorite. The blooms can last up to two weeks, and the shrubs make enticing nesting spots for birds.
The downside? Lilacs can be susceptible to disease, which usually doesn't kill the plant but can defoliate it. If you try trimming your lilac bush too much during spring, you may create additional stress on the plant.
Elderberries
This native shrub (Sambucus canadensis) is best pruned in late winter, with maybe a bit of leeway for very early spring. After that, hands off!
"Once they're out of dormancy, leave them alone unless there's damage," says Irish-Hanson. If a storm or other calamity harm the shrub, remember a clean cut is always best to keep things looking neat and healthy.
Elderberries will bloom all the way through summer if you don't trim them prematurely.
Bush Cherries
A hybrid cherry developed in Canada, Prunus, is known for its hardiness. However, pruning a cherry bush in spring can cause you to lose the shrub's blossoms and fruit and potentially invite disease. Irish-Hanson recommends pruning in winter when the plant is still dormant.
Azaleas
The type of azalea you have will determine when you prune them. While there are some azaleas that bloom through October, others are spring-flower only. If growing a spring-flower variety, avoid pruning them in early spring. Doing so may remove flower buds before they have a chance to bloom.
Quick Guide
| Shrub | Prune in Spring? | Ideal Prune Timing ||----------------------|:---------------:|-----------------------------|| Virginia Sweetspire | No | After flowering || Hydrangeas (old wood)| No | After flowering || Lilacs | No | After flowering || Elderberries | No | After fruiting/dormant || Bush Cherries | No | After fruiting/dormant || Azaleas | No | After flowering |
- Martha Stewart would advise gardeners to consult with local cooperative extensions or gardening professionals before pruning their shrubs to ensure they are pruning correctly.
- When it comes to pruning Virginia Sweetspire, it's best to wait until after the shrub has finished blooming in late June.
- In contrast to Virginia Sweetspire, hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as the bigleaf hydrangea, should not be pruned until after spring.
- Instead of pruning lilacs in spring, it's best to wait until after they have finished blooming, as trimming them during this time may cause additional stress to the plant.
- Irish-Hanson, a horticulture educator, recommends pruning elderberries in late winter or very early spring and to leave them alone thereafter, unless there is damage to the plant.
