Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Farm and Home News

Many people will soon begin thinking about pruning those ornamentals in the yard. Some may have already started pruning as they clean up the yard from the ice storm and recent high winds. The following are a few tips to remember.

WHEN TO PRUNE

Pruning plants during any time of the year is not likely to kill the plant. However, there are some recommended times to encourage a better bloom from the plant. For example, spring flowering trees and shrubs such as azaleas, dogwood and shrub roses should be pruned after flowering. If we think about it this makes sense. When we prune a spring flowering plant we are cutting off the blooms that were formed last fall.

Summer flowering trees and shrubs like crape myrtle, hydrangea, hybrid tea roses and rose of Sharon should be pruned before spring growth begins. The flowering buds for summer flower plants are formed on the current year's growth. Therefore, pruning before spring growth begins should increase the amount of blooms set in the summer.

WHY PRUNE?

There are several reasons why we prune our plants: to maintain the size and shape of a plant, to remove diseased, insect infested or storm damaged wood, to increase vigor of declining plants, and to stimulate flowering and fruiting in old plants with poor vigor.

One common myth that often circulates is that plants will die if pruned at the wrong time of the year. Plants may be injured, but seldom, if ever, are they killed by pruning at the wrong time of the year. Pruning time should reflect the type of growth desired and the flowering habits of the plants.

For more information regarding pruning ornamentals in your landscape contact the Extension office at 887-2818, or come by the office and request a copy of publication Pruning Ornamental Plants MP167.