Here’s When to Trim Your Bushes and Shrubs
Don’t cut corners on this landscaping task
Highlights
Regularly trim bushes to maintain the plant’s health and encourage new growth.
The best time to trim bushes and shrubs depends on the plant type.
In general, avoid trimming bushes or shrubs in late summer or fall.
Well-kept shrubs, hedges, and bushes can make your property feel like a lush oasis. A large part of caring for these plants involves trimming them at certain points of the year to keep them healthy and promote additional growth. However, knowing when to cut can be a little confusing since it varies on the type of plant. Read on to learn when to trim bushes and shrubs, no matter which kind of plant you have.
Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Spring-flowering shrubs and trees such as lilacs and forsythias produce flowers in spring on the growth of the previous season. The best time to prune these shrubs is late spring, immediately after they finish flowering. If you wait until fall or winter, you may remove next year’s buds, thus minimizing your springtime blooms.
Summer-Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Potentilla and Japanese spirea are two examples of summer-flowering shrubs. These plants bloom on the new growth from the current season. Prune in the winter or first month of spring while the plants are dormant since they will bloom in the summer on the new growth of the current season.
Shrubs with Non-Showy Flowers
Deciduous shrubs that don’t produce flowers, such as a burning bush, are known more for their bark, fruit, or foliage. Prune these shrubs in late winter or early spring before they begin their seasonal growth.
Overgrown Shrubs
If you have overgrown shrubs and bushes, the best time to trim these plants is in late winter or early spring. Heavy pruning and trimming may reduce the flower display on spring-flowering shrubs for a couple of years, but the plants will be healthier in the long run. Aim to remove about a third of the plant’s branches to avoid overcutting the bush.
Evergreen Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs such as juniper and yew should be trimmed in the spring before new growth begins. It’s also good to do light pruning or shaping halfway through the summer. Avoid trimming evergreen shrubs in the fall, since the trimmed plants may be damaged by winter weather.
Rose Bushes
When to trim your roses depends on the type of shrub you have. Roses that bloom only once a year should be pruned after they finish blooming like other spring-blooming shrubs. Roses that repeatedly bloom throughout the summer should be pruned in early spring. Avoid cutting too much and aim to only remove damaged stems.
Bush Berries
Blueberry, raspberry, and other berry bushes should be trimmed each winter to maintain thriving plants. Cut about a third of the oldest stems of these bushes as well as any dead stems off at the ground level.
Final Thoughts
Always do your research on your plants and shrubs to learn about their proper care and maintenance. Otherwise, you may be cutting off vital new growth at the wrong time.
It can be a lot to maintain all of your bushes, shrubs, trees, and other landscaping all year round. If you’re not up to it, contact a local landscaping expert to trim or remove your plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, homeowners should avoid trimming bushes in late summer and fall. Trimming at this time may encourage the plants to sprout new buds or growth, which will die in the upcoming winter. For many plants, it’s best to wait until the majority of winter has passed and save trimming for early spring, but the exact timing varies by plant.
It’s possible to go too far trimming your bushes or hedges. If you overdo it, you may kill the plant. Stick to trimming about a third of the branches on your bush each season to prevent over-cutting. If your hedge is overgrown and needs a heavy trim, avoid cutting off the main branches that make up the top of the bush.
You risk cutting off buds of new growth that haven’t had the chance to bloom if you prune your shrubs too early. Research your landscaping plants to find out the best time to prune them. Most shrubs and bushes grow best if they are trimmed shortly after winter ends to prepare for growth in the spring.
Most households spend between $442 and $1,422 for professional tree, hedge, and shrub trimming. However, the cost varies on the number of plants and size of your yard. Some homeowners spend as little as $150 if they only have a few shrubs or bushes that need work.