May is a busy time for gardeners. I've had the opportunity to meet some great clients and do some garden coaching and the number one question people have is when to prune?
Pruning can be the kindest cut of all, but healthy pruning is more than just cutting off the top of an overgrown tree or shrub. To shear or not to shear is the never ending garden question.
I've said this before and I'll say it again, do some research before you plant. They don't call it right plant right place for nothing.
If you are investing the time and money to grow something please do a little research with a good reference book and the Internet before you get started.
You will save yourself a lot of time and work as it is easier to plant a shrub that matures to a height of three feet, rather than constantly pruning a shrub that wants to be 12 feet.
Plant tags can have a lot of information on them but they are not the Holy Grail of plant culture. We live in one of the most floriferous parts of Canada and in a rainforest to boot.
Plants, trees and shrubs can and do exceed their mature height in our excellent growing conditions.
Shrubs, which are the backbone of every garden, have a natural growth habit and mature into a particular shape.
Consider that a shrub can be arching, mounding, clump - forming, suckering, dome shaped, columnar, tiered, etc. There is no point choosing a beautiful arching Spirea x vanhouttei (which needs room to show its fountain shape) and planting it in a spot where it hasn't the space to fully spread out.
Why create a make work project?
The ideal would be to plant a shrub in the correct conditions and spot and ultimately let it grow to its natural form without pruning.
If you do feel the need to prune you could start with the three Ds -dead, damaged and diseased wood.
When you do make a cut, try and cut back to an outward facing healthy bud that will grow in the correct direction. Crossing branches that rub and damage other branches should come out, but prune slowly and cautiously to create a pleasant frame.
The right equipment is essential. Don't try to hack your way through a thick stem shrub with your hand pruners.
You don't want to end up leaving ragged edges, which can be an invitation to pest and diseases.
Use secateurs and loppers that have blades that bypass each other and will guarantee a clean, crisp cut.
Not all shrubs are created equal and not all shrubs are pruned at the same time. Generally, you can prune a shrub after it is finished flowering, but the best time to prune is at the end of their dormant season, which is usually late winter/early spring.
Just before the plant starts to grow again.
One type of pruning that is worth taking note of is a restorative prune.
Many of us have inherited gardens and shrubs that have are overgrown and sparsely flowering and need a restorative prune. This is not shearing.
Stay tuned over the next few weeks and I'll give you some tips on how to tame and rejuvenate our favourite old shrubs.
