---

Shrubs are a constant in the landscape. They are a permanent backdrop to temporary displays of bulbs, annuals and perennials. Proper pruning is essential to the aesthetics of a shrub; it will help them look superb for years to come. It can also be considered "preventive maintenance." Problems can be thwarted with the right pruning techniques and tools.

However, the right time to prune can be confusing. Timing is most dependent on when a shrub flowers and whether it flowers on old wood or new wood. "Old wood" or last year's growth is wood that has gone through at least one winter. "New wood" or this year's growth is part of the branch that has grown in the current growing season.

Lilacs, forsythias, azaleas and Juneberries are our first introduction to flowering shrubs. They all bloom early in the season on old wood. The lilacs were especially stellar this year! A little maintenance will help them come back each season with abandon. All of these shrubs should be pruned immediately after they finish blooming (before they begin developing their next crop of flower buds). The standard technique for lilacs is to cut out any thin and unproductive branches after flowering.

Shrubs that flower on new growth may be pruned before the growing season begins. Clematis, spireas, Pee Gee and Annabelle hydrangeas can be pruned down to the first pair of buds above the ground. Shrub roses should be pruned back to live wood.

Fruit-bearing shrubs or shrubs grown mainly for their foliage can also be pruned before growth starts in spring. Dogwood, honeysuckle, barberry, burning bush, purpleleaf sandcherry and viburnums fall into this category.

Best practice is to remove the oldest one-third of branches at ground level each year. This will encourages the growth of new foliage near the base of the plant, resulting in fuller, healthy-looking shrubs. All pruning cuts should be made cleanly, without tearing any adjacent areas of bark. The pruning shears need to be sharp and cuts should be made at a slight angle to the main stem.

A general rule of thumb is that most spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned immediately after they bloom, while most summer flowering shrubs can be pruned in early spring! You should avoid doing any routine pruning after mid-August, because it will cause the shrub to put out new growth that may not have a chance to harden off before cold weather sets in.

PLANT CLINICS: Volunteer Master Gardeners will be available Mondays from 4-7 at the Extension Office in North Branch at 38780 Eight Ave. to answer your questions. You can also call 651-674-4417 during these hours to speak with a Master Gardener. You may also drop off a sample during the day on Monday if you cannot stop in during clinic hours. Please note MONDAY is the only day you can drop off samples, as there is no longer staff at the North Branch office who can answer gardening questions.

VOICE MAIL: You can leave a question for a volunteer Master Gardener at 651-674-4417. Depending on the volume of calls, they try to respond within a couple of days. During office hours ask for the Master Gardener voicemail, after hours, select ext. 18.

---