WHEN TO PRUNE

Existing Trees and Shrubs

While heavy pruning should be done according to the following schedule, light pruning
may be done through out the year.

Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs

If they flower before June, they should be pruned immediately after they bloom. Heavy
pruning of these plants in fall, winter, or early spring will remove flower buds. Gardenias,
shade hydrangeas, lorapetalum, and all azaleas, including Encores, are in this group.

Summer- and Fall-Flowering Trees and Shrubs

If they flower in June or later, they may be pruned in late February or earlyMarch. Sun
Hydrangeas, crapemyrtles, and abelias are in this group.

Roses
Prune in March or April. We sell only groundcover, shrub, and climbing roses, which
require only minimal “shaping.” Prune the bottom of shrub roses wider than the top. Cut
out dead wood and trim climbers to desired height. Hybrid tea roses are generally pruned
to 18-24” in our area.

Evergreens (Hollies, Cleyera, Ligustrum, Tea Olive)

Prune in late February or early March. The very best time to prune these plants is
immediately before the new leaves appear. May also prune later in spring and early
summer, but don’t do heavy pruning after July. If you want to “tree form”, late February
or early March will be the best time.

Fruiting Trees and Vines

Call Clemson University Extension Service at 1-888-656-9988 or order an excellent
publication on this subject with detailed pruning and fertilizing recommendations.

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