In order for ornamental shrubs to flower profusely and grow bushy over many years, regular pruning is required. Here, the growth of the trees plays a major role. Once you understand this, you can use the rules again and again.
The best time to prune ornamental trees depends on when they bloom
Early flowering ornamental shrubs
These plants develop flower buds in the autumn of the previous year, which affects the time of pruning. The intervention is limited to the rejuvenation cut, in which the crown area is thinned out. This will ensure that the fresh shoots get more light. This increases vitality, flower development and resilience.
frequency
Incisions should be made annually or every two years on a small scale. If you remove a maximum of two shoots for each measure, you reduce the amount of work and the removal of branches is no longer noticeable. Nevertheless, you ensure that the wood grows healthily and remains steadfast.
time
Cuts are possible shortly before the leaves shoot out between February and March or directly after the flowering period. An early pruning is a convenient alternative that allows you to prune all the shrubs and trees in the garden. From the point of view of bird protection, this point in time is recommended, as the birds only start breeding later. However, there is a risk that you will remove numerous branches with flower buds. You can enjoy full bloom by pruning later in the summer, because no buds are lost in this way.
method
Remove old, weak and damaged branches at the base or just above the ground. Such specimens can be derived from younger side branches. In the long run, pinching shoots is counterproductive. Shrubs react to such measures with numerous new shoots in the upper area. A thicket of leaves develops here, while the base becomes bare.
Summer flowering shrubs
These specimens require stronger pruning measures in the form of promotion cuts. They develop their flower buds on this year's shoots. The aim of pruning is to encourage fresh shoots that bloom profusely in summer.
time
Spring pruning in March is recommended for this group of trees, as the shrubs then sprout vigorously. In this train you also lay the flower buds for the coming season, so that you do not have to accept any losses in the willingness to flower. At the same time you can control the size growth of the trees.
Long-term benefits:
- early and annual pruning promotes vitality
- Plant constantly develops new shoots in the lower area
- it remains bushy, stable and willing to flower
method
Prune the plants back to a third to a quarter of their original height. Remove branches that appear diseased and weak or have died. Intensive interventions, in which few buds remain, result in stronger shoots. These usually grow longer. On the other hand, careful and slight pruning leads to the formation of shorter new shoots.
tips
Prevent shoot stubs. Young shoots are shortened slightly at an angle about five millimeters above a bud. This way you keep the cut as small as possible.