Pruning An Overgrown Holly (Or Other Shrubs!)

This is a holly. These get very unruly when they’re overgrown. The stems go all over the place, sideways and downward and when you start pruning them it can be confusing what to do. So this is often where it ends up.😂✂️ As you can see, it bounces back very quickly. Apply this same approach to any overgrown shrub if you’re impatient to do it in stages. If you’re asking for the “best” time, it’s late winter/early spring but we tend to like to see the flowers, so for ones that flower, like forsythia, rhododendron, spirea, etc., it’s nice to wait until after they bloom so we can enjoy those but that’s not for the plant’s health. As for other times of year to prune, it’s fine. I’ve pruned things into December and the plants recover. If they produce new growth before winter that may not survive but the plant will be fine and start generating new growth in the spring. If you’re pruning in the summer, try not to do a major pruning when it’s very hot but if that’s the only time you have, make sure to water a lot afterward. More tips and videos on pruning can be found in the pruning highlight or in morning guide on my website. Video done by my client Jackie in her yard. About me: I’m a garden coach and consultant in zone 6 in the Boston area but almost all of the principles I talk about are applicable to any garden. Go here to schedule consultations, download pruning guides and more: Website: https://www.youcandoitgardening.com #youcandoitgardening