Garden Tip 185

Summer has arrived, marking the beginning of the pruning season. Evergreens are about done with this year’s growth, and early bloomers such as forsythia, spirea, and viburnum have put on their show.

Shears, trimmers and clippers often come with instructions as to their use, but never with instructions as to their purpose.  We shouldn’t be pruning shrubs into tightly cut cubes, spheres or triangles. We should, rather, prune lightly following the outline of the shrub. This method of pruning produces a healthier shrub with a more natural but controlled shape.

Oftentimes many growth tips remain leaving the shrub with an untouched look. Any major renovation of size or shape can be left for the winter season. Shear your hedges but shape your shrubs in a natural way.