Pruning 2

Group 1

Plants that do not regularly produce replacement growth from the base.

Group 1 strategies

Prune plants while they are young to establish solid structure and balance , DDD, little to no pruning if well planted.

Group 1 examples

Acer palmatum, Magnolia stellata, Hamamelis mollis, Rhododendron spp.

Group 2

Deciduous and evergreen shrubs, vines, and ground covers that produce flowers on the previous season’s growth

Group 2 strategies

Often require renewal pruning, remove old branches to ground, DDD, prune after flowering

Group 2 examples

Forsythia, Camellia japonica, Kerria japonica, Hydrangea macrophylla

Group 3

Plants that produce flowering spurs on old wood

Group 3 strategies

Spurs are formed yearly and can be produced on main branches or trunks - Common on rosaceous trees and shrubs - Plants can be pruned to maximized flowering through careful dormant and growing season pruning

Group 3 examples

Wisteria sinensis, Syringa vulgaris, Pyracantha coccinea, many fruit trees

Group 4

Plants that produce flower on the current season’s growth

Group 4 strategies

Some plants can be cut completely to the ground, Other plants can be allowed to develop a low woody framework, which is cut back hard annually, Prune early to allow maximum time for flowering wood to develop - Plants should be pruned late winter to early spring

Group 4 examples

ROSES, Phlomis spp., Buddleia davidii, Ceanothus spp., Caryopteris x clandonensis

Group 5

Deciduous shrubs that are grown for decorative stem or foliage effect

Group 5 strategies

Prune all shoots to the ground (coppice) or to a low woody framework every 2-3 years, Plants must be well established (2 years minimum) before hard pruning can be attempted,

Group 5 examples

Many cornus and salix

Group 6

Group 6 strategies

Dormant season pruned (where mild) or pruned in spring after flowering, Evergreens with fine leaves and stems can be sheared regularly - Evergreen shrubs with larger leaves should be reduced only by hand pruning to prevent torn or cut leaves - Dormant pruning should only be performed after the worst of freezing weather has passed

Group 6 examples

Buxus, Prunus lucitanica, Prunus laurocerasus, Thuja occidentalis, most evergreen hedges/mass plantings

Hydrangea Macrophylla pruning

Don’t cut the terminal buds, cut to 1-2 buds above the collar, pencil size or thinner, DDD, anything lower than 45°

Hydrangea paniculata pruning

Dead head, blooms on current year growth, cut out old branches to 2-3 buds, thin branches, crossing, DDD

Rose pruning

Prune hard to 75% in late winter/early spring, thin, crossing, DDD, cut to an outward facing bud