Gardeners are eager to get out and do something in the landscape
this time of year. One chore that can be taken care of now is
pruning certain shrubs. Often, gardeners approach pruning with
trepidation, but it is not as difficult as it may seem.
Remember, not all shrubs need to be pruned (i.e., witch hazel),
and certain shrubs, which will be identified later in this
article, should not be pruned this time of year. Shrubs are
pruned to maintain or reduce size, rejuvenate growth, or to
remove diseased, dead or damaged branches. Deciduous shrubs are
those that lose leaves each winter. Evergreen shrubs maintain
foliage all year and include yews and junipers. Deciduous shrubs
are placed into three groups: • Those that flower in the spring
on wood produced last year; • Those that flower later in the
year on current season's growth; and • Those that may produce
flowers, but those flowers are of little ornamental value.
Shrubs that flower in the spring should not be pruned until
immediately after flowering. Though pr