- Trimming your shrub not only keeps it the size you want but removes dead and diseased branches and opens up the shrub to receive more light and air. Trimming promotes new, healthy growth and strengthens a shrub.
- The best time to trim flowering shrubs is about a month after the shrub has flowered. Trimming a flowering shrub in the spring or before it blossoms may take off the new growth and flowering portions of the branches. The only time not to trim after flowering is if the shrub is a late season bloomer and there is not enough time for the shrub to heal and harden before the winter cold sets in. If that is the case, keep the spent flowers on the shrub over winter and carefully trim it in the very early spring. Only trim off the dead flowers portion so you do not disrupt the new growth and buds.
- Evergreen shrubs, such as juniper, cedar and yew that do not blossom, should be trimmed in the spring before new growth begins. Severe trimming can be done at this time because it will allow the shrub to recover during its growing season. An additional light trimming may be done in late June, after new growth is done to control or shape the shrub.
- Unless it is a hedge or sculpted shrub, never shear trim a shrub. This creates a dense growth on the branch tips which block sunlight and air to the interior of the shrub.
Only trim when needed. Unnecessary trimming may cause the loss of flower buds, fruit and berry formation.
Mature shrubs can have up to six inches trimmed off, while younger shrubs should only be trimmed half as much.
Trim dead or diseased branches from a shrub at any time during the year.
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