Hedges may be pruned twice a year, in spring and again in.

Prune hedges so they're wider at the base than at the top, to allow all parts to receive sunlight and prevent legginess.

Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, bloom in spring on the growth of the previous season.

Renewal pruning for older or overgrown shrubs. Every year remove up to one-third of the oldest, thickest stems or trunks, taking them right down to the ground. This will encourage the growth of new stems from the roots.

Prune these shrubs in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Do not prune deciduous shrubs in late summer.

Pruning shrubs in August or early September may encourage a late flush of growth. This new growth may not harden sufficiently before the arrival of. Many shrubs can be easily renewed with rejuvenation pruning. The shrub is cut entirely to the ground in the early spring before growth starts.

The shrub regrows from roots, giving a compact youthful plant with maximum bloom. Rejuvenation can have a major effect on size. This method is preferred for many flowering shrubs because it is quick and easy with great results.

Initial rejuvenation should be. The first step in pruning a shrub is to remove all dead, diseased or injured branches. Remove branches that cross or touch each other and those that look out of place. If the shrub is still too dense or large, remove some of the oldest branches. Prune Plants by Either Heading Back or by Thinning. Pruning Trees and Shrubs All woody landscape plants will need pruning during their lifetime. The objectives of pruning are to produce strong, healthy and aesthetically attractive plants that complement our property.

You can achieve these objectives by gaining an understanding of why, how and when to prune, as well as a fewFile Size: KB. Time to Prune In general, prune in late winter before new growth starts. For flowering shrubs, prune at a time to minimize disruption of blooming. Spring flowering shrubs (Table 1) bloom on last season’s growth; prune them soon after they bloom to promote vigorous summer growth.

Some.