While we have had our share of cold days this winter, when we get a warm day, gardeners want to get outside and garden.  Many times this includes pruning.

Maybe the reason why there are wrongly pruned plants is that in general, most people do not realize that pruning actually stimulates growth.  So when a plant is severely pruned it will grow more shoots and vegetative growth.  This growth is typically very weak and the new limbs are almost guaranteed to break during a spring/summer wind or rainstorm.  So where there was one nice branch you will get three, five, or more limbs coming out from the top/tip.  This is the reason why you never want to top trees.

Generally, winter can be the best time for pruning trees and shrubs. Follow these pruning guidelines, if the plant blooms before May (spring flowering), prune it after it blooms.  Examples are azalea, dogwood, spirea, and forsythia.  If the plant blooms after May (summer flowering), prune it before growth starts in the spring.  Examples are crape myrtle, hibiscus, and hydrangea.  Evergreens such as hollies, boxwoods, cedars, juniper, and others should be pruned during the dormant season (mid-November to late February).  Fruit and berry-producing plants like hollies, nandina, mahonia, and pyracantha should be pruned after the berries have fallen or been eaten by birds.  Light corrective pruning on most plants can be done at any time.

Reduce your pruning by selecting the right plant for the right place.  Gardeners need to know where they want to plant and pick a plant that grows the correct size for the site.  All this should be done before buying the plant.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Wilson County Center has lists of plants based on plant height.  Call 252.237.0113 and speak to an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer or email anytime at wilsonemgv@hotmail.com.