Pruning your trees and shrubs helps to keep them healthy and vibrant. But there are key things you need to know before you start clipping with abandon. Cityline gardening expert Frankie Flowers offers these suggestions to get you pruning like a pro.
Why do we need to prune our plants, anyway? There are three key reasons, Frankie says:
1) To control the size of the plant.
2) To improve the health of the plant, and the airflow around it.
3) To remove diseased and/or dead branches.
The main reason why trees and shrubs fail to bloom, Frankie notes, is because of improper pruning.
First, you have to prune after the plant blooms. If you prune in the late summer or early fall, you run the risk of not having any blooms the following year.
“Always remember — prune after [the plants] bloom,” Frankie advises.
Use hedge shears for hedges, but nothing else. Don’t use them on flowering shrubs.
“When you hedge off or cut off a top you don’t allow for airflow to the centre of the plant. No airflow, you increase the risk of disease,” Frankie says.
When you’re pruning, you want to ensure that the branches are outward-facing. Look for an outward-facing bud and prune to that point. Always make sure you get rid of any deadwood.
If you’re pruning to control size, don’t prune more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.
After you’re finished, Frankie recommends cleaning your tools with bleach. This will kill any diseases on the blades.
Do you have a gardening question for Frankie Flowers? Post it in the comments below or send it to submissions@cityline.ca.