Knowledgebase
When to prune old established shrubs? #677638
Asked November 23, 2020, 9:37 AM EST
Would you please tell me when it's safe to prune the attached shrubs? In addition to this, I plan to reduce the height of each shrub by a minimum of12 inches.
Durham County North Carolina
Expert Response
This question was answered by Wanda, Durham County Extension Master Gardener volunteer
Thank you for your question.
The shrub on the upper left looks to be a loropetalum. It can be pruned in the spring after it completes blooming. Although Loropetalum will tolerate heavy pruning, it is best to not remove more than 1/3 of the plants growth per year.
That rule applies to all shrubs.
The shrub on the far right looks like it may be a viburnum although I am guessing here. At any rate, appears to be an evergreen shrub, as does the one on the bottom and it may be some sort of juniper.. The one on the right can also be pruned in the early spring or during dormancy this winter.
I am including a link on when to prune shrubs from Virginia Cooperative Extension. If you do know the names of your shrubs they should be listed in this table.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-462/430-462_pdf.pdf
Reducing your shrubs by 12" may be within the 1/3 rule, if so the shrubs should respond well to good pruning. I am including a link on the' how to' for pruning form NC State.
Winter Pruning | North Carolina Cooperative Extension (ncsu.edu)
Thank you for your submission and hope we have answered your question.
NC Cooperative Extension
Durham County Center
Master Gardener Office
721 Foster Street
Durham, NC 27701
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glad to be of help
