Can you trim bushes in the spring

Examples of some shrubs that fall in this category include lilac Syringa spp. Prune shrubs using the renewal method in which some of the largest stems of the plant are cut to the ground.

New stems will arise from the base of the plant. This practice maintains the natural shape of the plant and allows more air and light to reach the interior of the shrub. Older stems often don't produce as many flowers so this will increase flowering.

Don't remove more than one-third of the largest stems. There is no need use pruning paint on any of the cuts, as the wounds will naturally seal. Selective heading cuts removing the terminal part of a stem back to a bud from one-third of the younger stems will help to control the size of the shrub, while still maintaining a natural shape. Do not use hedge shears to shear off all of the stems to the same height as this will destroy the natural shape of the shrub.

If an oak tree must be pruned in spring or summer such as after a storm , apply latex housepaint to the pruning cuts to avoid attracting sap-feeding beetles to the wounds. Late February to early April is the best time to prune fruit trees in Iowa.

Pruning should be completed before the fruit trees begin to break bud leaf out in early spring. Evergreen trees, such as pine, spruce, and fir, require little pruning.

Dead, broken, and diseased branches can be removed at any time of year. Late winter is the best time to remove unwanted lower branches on evergreen trees. Spruce and fir trees possess side or lateral buds on their newest outermost growth. To promote denser growth, cut shoots back to just above a lateral bud or side branch in early spring. Growth on pine trees develops from terminal buds. Pines do not produce side or lateral buds.

The growth of pines can be slowed by pinching or pruning off one-half to two-thirds of the elongated terminal buds "candles" in spring when the candles are approximately 2 to 3 inches long. Do not prune branches back to older growth down the stem as new growth will not develop from these areas. Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

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Advice Beginner's guide Pruning Pruning clematis Pruning shrubs. Pruning shrubs Once you know the principles of pruning it is easier than you think and, if you prune shrubs at the right time of year, it will really improve their performance Deciduous trees and shrubs In winter, deciduous plants shed leaves and send food reserves to their roots. Spring pruning before flowering If your plants flower from July - October and are deciduous , then you can prune these plants in spring.

Plants suitable for this pruning: Buddleja butterfly bush Fuchsia hardy fuchsias Hibiscus Hydrangea paniculata Spirea japonica More details on pruning summer-flowering shrubs. Summer pruning after flowering If your plants flower from November - June and are deciduous , then you can prune these plants immediately after flowering. Plants suitable for this pruning: Kerria Philadephus mock orange Ribes flowering currant Weigela More details on pruning early-flowering shrubs. Evergreen trees and shrubs Evergreen trees and shrubs do not lose their leaves in winter and do not store food reserves in their roots.

Deciduous tree and shrub renovation Prune the main uprights hard back from November - March. Plants suitable for this pruning: Cotinus smoke bush Forsythia Magnolia Syringa lilac See more information on pruning overgrown deciduous plants.

Evergreen tree and shrub renovation Plants can be renovated in late winter or early spring or for early flowering plants after flowering. Other evergreens can be renovated over several years: In spring lightly prune the whole shrub to encourage buds to break further down the stems.

Later in summer prune harder into the plant to create the desired size and shape. Dead stems attract insects and invite diseases to develop.

Also remove crossing branches, water sprouts vigorous upright growing shoots that form on trunks or side branches , and suckers vigorous shoots that develop near or from below ground. Many hydrangea types bloom on old wood, including pink, blue, or white mopheads and lacecaps, or oakleaf forms. Prune these types of hydrangeas before midsummer. If you prune them in winter or early spring, you'll be removing flower buds.

With newer reblooming types, like the Endless Summer Series or Let's Dance Series, which bloom on new growth as well as old wood, when you prune is less critical. Even if you cut off some of the flower buds by pruning the old stems, the plant will bloom on the new growth.

White-flowered paniculata like varieties 'PeeGee' and 'Limelight' and arborescens including 'Annabelle' types flower on new wood, so they can be pruned any time other than just before they bloom. Early-spring bloomers , like lilac , forsythia , and rhododendron , produce flowers on wood formed the previous year. The best time to prune them is late spring, immediately after they finish blooming.

If you prune them later in the growing season or during winter, you'll remove flower buds and decrease the amount of spring bloom. Test Garden Tip: To keep spring bloomers flowering vigorously, remove some of the oldest shoots all the way to the ground. This allows younger stems to grow and bloom. Plants that bloom in summer , like potentilla , butterfly bush , and crape myrtle , produce their flowers on new growth from the current season.

Prune them in winter while they're dormant, or in early spring just before they push out their new growth.

You can even cut them all the way to the ground in late winter, and they'll still bloom that same summer. Test Garden Tip: Save time by using a pole pruner with a rotating head to remove stems all the way to the base of the plant.

That way, you don't have to bend over for each cut, saving not only time, but also wear and tear on your back! Cut back shrubs grown primarily for their foliage , like barberry and burning bush , almost anytime except in late autumn. New growth that starts after late-season pruning won't harden off properly before winter. If you want to do major pruning, it's best to cut the shrub back when it is dormant in winter. Shrubs like boxwood and privet are often sheared to form a hedge.

To maintain a solid wall of green, shear the new growth frequently during the early part of the growing season. Late winter to early spring or mid- to late summer are some of the best times to prune hedges. Keep the top narrower than the base so that the upper branches don't shade the lower ones. Stop shearing the hedge about six weeks before your area's average first frost.

Test Garden Tip: If you're growing a privacy hedge , reduce the amount of pruning maintenance needed by selecting shrubs that grow only as tall and wide as necessary to provide screening. Allow them to grow into their natural form, and you won't have to prune very often, if at all. Treat climbers and old garden roses that bloom only once per year the same as other spring-blooming shrubs: Pruning after they finish blooming.