There is always uncertainty about the ideal time to cut back shrubs and perennials. While fruit trees are pruned in winter, early bloomers such as forsythia are only available after they have bloomed in late spring or early summer.
Which shrubs do I need to prune in spring?
In spring, summer-flowering shrubs such as buddleia, hydrangeas, marshmallow, gorse and bush mallow should be cut. Early bloomers such as forsythia require pruning after flowering in late spring.
Which shrubs should I prune in spring?
Shrubs that bloom in summer can easily be pruned in early spring. They usually bloom on new shoots. It therefore makes sense to cut these bushes early so that they have enough time to sprout abundantly and set buds. When pruning, feel free to cut off all old woody shoots.
Shrubs to prune early in spring:
- buddleia
- hydrangeas
- Garden Marshmallow
- Gorse
- Bush mallow
After flowering in late spring:
Forsythia
What do I have to consider when pruning in spring?
Through a so-called thinning cut, you can keep your bushes that bloom in spring and early summer blooming. As early as February you can shorten all shoots that bloomed the previous year. Leave only short stubs at a time. This cut does not have to be done every year, but about every two to three years.
Low summer bloomers such as crabgrass, lavender or dwarf spirea bushes can be cut back quite heavily every spring. If you trim the bushes about a hand's width above the ground with sharp hedge trimmers (€24.00 on Amazon), you will encourage your bushes to bloom prolifically in the new season.
The rejuvenation cut in spring
If you have neglected pruning your shrubs for a few years, then the time may have come for a rejuvenation pruning. Signs of this are baldness in the lower part of the bushes and declining flowering. If you would like to use the clippings to propagate your shrubs, we recommend pruning them in later spring or even summer.
Short the senescent bushes about 30 to 50 centimeters above the ground. Some varieties may not bloom or bloom only a little in the year they are cut, but will bloom even more abundantly in the following years.
Tip
Shrubs that form buds for the coming year in autumn or winter should not be pruned before flowering.
