Pruning Spring Flowering Shrubs

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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

HORT 3-7

Division of Agriculture, U S D e w r t m e n t of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating

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8runIng Spring

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Vol. 2, No. 2

Spring flowering shrubs such a$ forsythia, dogwood, redbud, and azaleas need to be pruned from time to time as does any plant. They need to be pruned to keep them in bounds, remove diseased or dead wood and maintain a good shape.

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Pruning spring flowering shrubs is usually done immediately after they bloom to allow them time t o grow and produce new flowering wood before frost. Spring flowering plants set flower buds in late summer and early fall. Any pruning done after early August usually severely limits flower buds for the next spring. To maintain a natural shape to flowering shrubs, make selective cut, not hedging cuts. This means you should cut only those branches that are dead, diseased, or growing out of bounds. Starting at the tip, follow the limb back t o a natural branch and make your cut there. Usually this is well below the natural canopy of the plant. When this cut is first made a gap or hole may result in the canopy, but it will close fast with growth of the surrounding branches. This type of pruning will result in a

natural shaped shrub that appears as if it hasn't been pruned at all. Many people feel it is a crime to prune an azalea, but they, too, must occasionally be pruned. If the outside is clipped in a hedging fashion all the blooms will occur inside and many will not be visible. By the same token, forsythia, spirea, and weigela look much better with long branches (natural look). It is usually a good practice to fertilize spring flowering shrubs at the time they are pruned. Use 1 to 3 pounds of a fertilizer such as 13-13-13 per 100 square foot of bed area. On azaleas, camellias, and gardenias use a special azalea-camellia fertilizer, and use i t according to directions on the package. Remove all prunings from the area of the shrubs to prevent spread of disease. It is also helpful to apply a mulch at this time to prevent disease and maintain moisture during the growing season.

Kenneth R. Scott Extension Horticulturist - Ornamentals

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A8 7-5-79 The Arkansas COOiJcrativc! Exterrslon Scrvlcl: olfcr; I t s ~ ~ r o g r a mtos all ~ ' ! l C ~ i t Jper.ur,s !~ regardless of race, color, national origin, or scx, and 15 ari Equal Ernploymer,l Opgortunity Employer.