Even if you think you can do as you please in your garden, there are certain rules for trimming shrubs that you should follow. In summer, only a light shape and grooming cut is allowed.
In summer, only light topiary cuts may be made
These regulations are primarily intended to protect garden birds, which nest in many shrubs during this period. If they were cut back, they would be disturbed in their breeding business, in the worst case the nest might be damaged and/or the parent birds would be driven away. Do the annual pruning in the fall, that's better. You can also wait until spring with a rejuvenating pruning.
Which shrubs can I cut in summer?
In summer, mainly summer-flowering shrubs are pruned. This usually happens after flowering. They remove all wilted flowers and perhaps give the shrub an attractive shape on this occasion.
On the one hand, this serves the optics, because a wilting bush is not particularly attractive, on the other hand, this cut stimulates many bushes to form new buds and then bloom a second time.
What should I consider with a summer cut?
Wait for a day when the sky is partly cloudy before reaching for the secateurs to avoid sunburning your shrubs. This occurs easily on leaves that were shaded prior to cutting but were not shaded afterwards. It should also not be too hot during cutting, as this means additional stress for the plants to be cut.
If you would like to propagate your shrubs, then check your clippings for suitable cuttings. As a rule, these are strong and healthy shoots with a length of 10 to 20 centimeters.
The essentials in brief:
- no radical pruning in summer
- only light shaping and care cuts are allowed
- choose an overcast, rather cool day
- Do not prune flowering shrubs during full bloom
- Possibly use clippings for propagation
tips
In summer, only carry out the legally permitted light shaping and care cuts. This protects nesting birds in your garden.