How And When To Prune Overgrown Shrubs

Overgrown shrubs can be overwhelming because many people are not sure what to do and are also afraid of killing them. This is not a rational fear because plants are incredibly resilient and it’s very rare to kill a plant by pruning. When they get to this point you have to take action because they are starting to block windows and they are getting more and more unhealthy inside. For shrubs that are going to flower in spring, like andromeda, azalea, rhododendron, forsythia and holly, if you prune in late winter/early spring you will be cutting off buds on branches that you prune but this time of year will get you the most vigorous growth. If you are going to wait, to be able to enjoy the flowers, just check to see if there are any birds in the nests before you do that and wait if they are. Cutting in windows will allow this to be done in stages if your shrubs are very prominent. If you do this and then go in more dramatically afterward you will still get plenty of new growth and the best time to do this is right after they bloom. Try to do this within a few weeks so the plant has a chance to produce enough growth to form buds for the following year but if you miss that timing just do it anyway and get the job done. For shrubs that bloom in the summer, like panicle hydrangeas, you can prune in the spring without worrying about cutting off buds because they have not been formed yet. See much more on pruning in the Pruning playlist. About me: I am a garden coach and consultant in the Boston area. Visit my website for information about how to book an in-person or virtual consultation: https://www.youcandoitgardening.com #youcandoitgardening