Time to prune? Depends on the shrub!

Properly Pruned Knockout Rose

Late winter is the right time to prune summer blooming shrubs like Knockout roses but not spring bloomers such as azaleas. For most shrubs, the right time to prune depends on why you are pruning them and when they flower. 

To grow healthy, vigorous and free blooming Knockout roses, cut them back to a low framework of 5 to 7 stems about 12" to 18” from ground level each year in late winter. 

Find out which shrubs you should prune now and which you should wait to prune, read the whole article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+171 

Learn more about pruning from these great online resources: 

Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs --- a great 12 page guide from Purdue Extension: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf

Pruning Ornamental Shrubs -- another great guide, this one from Missouri Extension: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/g6870

Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs --- more pruning how to information! From Florida Extension: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg087

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