How do we know when/which shrubs and bushes to prune, and how?

[Anonymous]

We just moved into a new house with beautiful shrubs/bushes/trees and I'm starting to get the sense that we are supposed to cut some of them back soon? We moved from a townhouse with almost no yard work, so we have no idea and we don't want to kill/ruin anything. I don't even know what some of the shrubs are - I do know we have azaleas, a dogwood tree, and a japanese maple. Also, there are large sage, rosemary and oregano bushes in the ground near the deck. We also have "ground cover" coming through the mulch beds which need weeding and new mulch. We plan to tackle the yard this weekend - any advice appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

Don't do any pruning until you know what you're doing. If you're describing them as beautiful, they probably don't need any pruning at all. Most trees and shrubs do not need to be pruned every year. When you are supposed to prune varies by what the tree or shrub actually is. The only thing you should do now is cut off any branches that are completely dead--try to make the cut flush to the branch.

Get a couple of gardening books from the library. The illustrations make things a lot clearer.

Roses are one of the few common shrubs that need annual pruning, and you've missed the window for that. If you have roses, look up how to cut them back, which you do in late Feb/early March.

For the sage, rosemary, and oregano, just cut off bits as you need them for cooking--enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Generally you shouldn't be pruning much now, so no worry there. All of the major garden centers have people who will offer advice. Also master gardener services...in MoCo they are at local farmers markets and happy to answer questions.

Trees - prune in late winter/early spring for shape.

Herb bushes - you can prune those back pretty much anytime.

Shrubs - Use a bypass pruner, please do not use hedge clippers. Prune interior growth to promote airflow and size/shape. Be careful with azaleas to not prune new growth - that is where blooms form.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks! I guess we will just weed/mulch this weekend then. Maybe make a few minor snips to anything dead looking.

Any thoughts on the best mulch? Seems like most of our neighbors used shredded. Hardwood or cedar?

[Anonymous]

I"m there with you, OP. DH got me a book on pruning and said I am not to get close to any bush with scissors until I've read it.

[Anonymous]

OP, take photos of any shrubs, via cell phone, to your local garden store, show them, get their opinions. Avoid the Home Depots. As for mulch, first weed, then spread Preen, then mulch. also, edge the beds first, before mulching. Buy good gloves. It is hard work, but much cheaper than paying someone else to do it. And it is rewarding, since you can see how quickly it improves the look of your yard. And you get to spend time outside with honest, clean(sort of) hard work.

[Anonymous]

Prune azaleas right after they bloom. Do it by hand with clippers so you don't get the hedge look.

[Anonymous]

If they are beautiful, they don't need pruning right now. But with those azaleas, if you do prune as PP recommends, get your arm deep into the bush and take off whole branches where they join the main framework. If the shrub is too tall, take out the tallest/longest ones. This will bring down the total height and width, and also thin it out so there is more air and light, which makes for fewer diseases and more flowers next year. Take up to but no more than 30% of the bulk of the shrub. But as I said, if you like how it looks now it is probably in no need of pruning at all.

[Anonymous]

What About begonias? Mine are blooming now, do I tie them and wait til fall to cut them back?

I also need to learn how to thin some of or perennials. We're over capacity here....

[Anonymous]

You can hire the Yankee clippers and they will teach you as they prune: http://www.yankeeclippers.com/