Backyard Reflections

Pruning is an essential aspect of gardening. Most amateur gardeners may be intimidated by this task. But as long as you know the basics and you have ample knowledge about the flowers and foliage in your yard, pruning can be no more complex than other gardening activities that you regularly engage in. When done correctly, it can even be a satisfying chore that leads to an abundance of flowers, fruits, and foliage.

In this article, landscape design specialist Backyard Reflections shares some information about pruning and how you can perform the task properly and avoid damaging plants.

Basic Facts About Pruning

Pruning is basically controlling the growth and development of plants so that they can form into specific patterns. Each shoot or branch ends in a “terminal bud,” which is the lead bud on the shoot and which produces a chemical that slows the growth of the buds positioned behind it on the shoot.

The buds below the terminal bud are the future branches, and they are positioned in certain patterns, which vary depending on the plant species. Pruning experts typically use four basic arrangements of budding: alternate, opposite, spiral, or whorled.

Typically, pruning can stimulate growth. But if a plant has not been pruned on a regular basis, it will grow in whatever pattern comes naturally. Severe pruning is often used in this case, and it can result in fast and vigorous growth. Light pruning, on the other hand, leads to slower growth.

Maintenance Pruning Vs. Rejuvenation Pruning

Maintenance pruning is done to keep shrubs healthy and beautiful. Ideally, it should start at the time of planting or after rejuvenating older shrubs in your landscape.

In maintenance pruning, dead, diseased or broken branches are removed promptly. This is done by making thinning cuts into healthy wood below the affected area. Disinfecting tools between every cut is important as it prevents further spread of the damage. Maintenance pruning is also performed to reduce the height of shrubs with a cane habit and to maintain the height of mounding-type shrubs.

Rejuvenation pruning, on the other hand, is meant to tame older shrubs that have grown out of proportion with their surroundings. These shrubs usually have excessive amounts of unproductive wood. And in order to restore these old shrubs, they should first meet certain conditions. For example, they should still have sufficient vigor, they should be growing in a favorable location. Proper timing is also important. The best time to carry out rejuvenation pruning is before bud break in early spring.

Why Pruning Is Important

Some people believe that pruning goes against the natural growth pattern of a plant and it can potentially damage the plant. However, in a managed or controlled environment like a garden, it’s important to remember that each plant co-exists with other plants. Pruning may become necessary in order to encourage these plants to thrive and grow healthier together as well as to rejuvenate shrubs and plants. Also, there is the goal of keeping a well-kept appearance for the garden. If the plants in a garden are not pruned regularly, the entire area could look neglected and the plants could end up getting sick or damaged.

Must-Have Pruning Tools

You don’t need several tools when it comes to pruning, but it is highly recommended to invest in good-quality equipment that will last and help you do the job properly.

One of the items that you should have in your toolkit is a pair of secateurs or hand pruners. There are three main kinds of hand pruners that you’ll see on the market: anvil, bypass and parrot bill. The anvil type is made with a straight-edge cutting blade; the bypass features a curved blade that cuts against a curved fixed blade; and the parrot bill has two curved edge blades that work like scissors.

When using any of these tools, make sure to grip the stem to be pruned off as far back on the blades as possible. This enables a stronger cut and reduces the risk of damage to the tool. Typically, these hand pruners are ideal for smaller plants and thinner stems.

If you have larger shrubs and small trees, it’s best to use a long-handled pruner so as to be able to cut the thick stems properly. Two types of long-handled pruner can be used in your garden: a long-handled pruner (lopper) or a hand shear with long blade and handles. Long-bladed hedging shears usually work best for trimming evergreen shrubs and hedges. Meanwhile, long-handled pruners are great for cutting very thick stems and getting into difficult spaces.

Essential Pruning Tips

For new gardeners, it’s important to first learn the pruning instructions for every plant in their garden. That said, you should get to know your plants really well — what do they need to grow, where do they like to rest, and how should they be groomed?

Roses, for instance, are a large category. There are several variations in cultivated rose species, and each specific rose species has its own set of pruning requirements that you have to keep in mind.

Meanwhile, when pruning shrubs, one of the first things that you have to determine is whether they are deciduous (meaning, they lose their leaves every year) or evergreen. Generally, it’s best to consult a gardening professional to know the proper and specific ways of pruning such shrubs. In the case of ornamental shrubs, most of them are low-maintenance when it comes to pruning. They are fine with minimal pruning from one year to the next. Cutting out dead, diseased or damaged wood is often enough.

Backyard Reflections offers premium landscaping services that will surely make your outdoor living space the envy of your neighbors. Rest assured that from consultation to project completion, our team will closely work with you so that we can deliver quality results and meet your landscaping requirements. We can also take care of your landscape’s maintenance after the installation, ensuring that your outdoor space retains its beauty for all seasons. To learn more about our services, you can reach us at (320) 274-6336 (Annandale) or (218) 454-1065 (Nisswa). You can also fill out our contact form to request a consultation.