When you make the decision to plant annual shrubs in your yard, you want to do everything you can to make sure that they come back beautifully, year after year. Pruning and shaping them correctly is an important part of this.
Shaping your shrubs can be difficult business, especially if you are unsure of which shape you’d like them to be. Keep in mind that shrubs are programmed to grow a certain way, and that certain shapes may actually look unpleasant on your lawn. If you are thinking of creating a lollipop look with your shrubs, think again.
Finding the Perfect Shape for Your Shrubs
Experienced gardeners know that shrubs grow in a certain shape. Therefore, try guiding the shrubs, so they can grow healthy with strong stems. Keep in mind that they should not be cut to stunt their growth, because they are going to grow back to their original size soon enough. Never shear your shrubs, that’s for hedges.
The first step to correctly pruning and shaping your shrubs and bushes is to make sure you know what kind it is and when it typically becomes dormant. This is because the best time to do major pruning and shaping is during the dormant season. For example, summer bloomers, including glossy abelia, should be pruned during autumn when the leaves have just begun to fall. Spring bloomers, including azalea, should be pruned the first week or so after summer has began.
Clip each branch individually, and ensure that it only looks neater. You don’t want to change how your shrub looks entirely, just the neatness of it.
Pruning Your Shrubs to Perfection
Remember that your shrubs are not hedges, they do not need to be sheared. If you follow the tips listed above in this article, your shrubs will look fantastic through the seasons.