This article is reprinted from our July 2018 newsletter and is still timely today!
Now is the time for summer pruning of all your spring blooming shrubs or your evergreens that were not pruned in early spring. Once the flowers fade, new growth can arch out in odd ways. If new needles and leaves have “hardened off” on evergreens, meaning thickened up and darkened in color, we can prune with our hand pruners.
We work to restore a naturalistic look to the plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, lilacs, winterberries, viburnums, weigelas, hollies, boxwoods, and small trees such as crabapples and Japanese maples. One goal is to open up air circulation, creating more space for each branch and leaf to photosynthesize. This practice also helps reduce incidences of disease and pest outbreaks. We remove deadwood, broken and crossing branches when encountered, picturing in our minds the future growth habit of the wood we choose to keep intact.
Our Operations Manager, Kimberly Kuliesis, is happy to schedule a pruning visit. Email at: kimberly@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com
