Pruning Shrubs

If we weren’t under tons of snow this would be the time of year that we would be starting to prune trees and shrubs. If we ever do get out from under the white stuff it would be wise to check whether the shrub that you are pruning does not bloom on old wood. While it does not hurt these shrubs to prune them in the late winter or early spring, you will be pruning off the flower buds that have been carried through the winter. Shrubs that bloom on old wood produce flower buds in the summer and if you prune them before they bloom you will remove the wood that carries the flower buds. Consequently, your shrub will not bloom that year. Here are some common shrubs that bloom on old wood.

Andromeda, lily-of-the-valley bush (Pieris japonica)

Azaleas (Rhododendron spp)

Bayberry ( Myrica pensylvanica)

Beautybush ( Kolkwitzia amabilis)

Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus)

Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp)

Daphne (Daphne spp)

Deutzia (Deutzia spp)

Dogwood, red-osier ( Cornus sericea)

Flowering quince  (Chaenomeles )

Forsythia  (Forsythia spp)

Japanese rose (Kerria japonica)

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

Mock orange (Philadelphus spp)

Ninebark (Physocarpus spp)

Pearlbush (Exochorda  spp)

Purple-leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena)

Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp)

Viburnums (Viburnum spp)

Weigela (Weigela spp)