The timing of pruning for hydrangeas depends on which type of hydrangea you’d like to prune. Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood should be pruned in summer before they set buds for the following year. Some people say that you can prune these hydrangeas as late as mid-August without affecting next year’s bloom, but it’s […]
Pruning Versus Trimming: What’s the Difference?
Both pruning and thinning are intended to reduce the size of a shrub but they’re done quite differently and with different tools. Trimming This is what many people do when they’re not sure how to prune their shrubs. They get out the hedge trimmer and shear away the outermost branch tips to form a neat […]
Types of Pruning Cuts
Basically, there are three types of pruning cuts. Each type of pruning cut is used for a specific purpose. Reduction cut Removal cut Heading cut Reduction Cuts This is just what it sounds like – it reduces the length of the branch or stem. The key is that the cut is made just beyond a […]
How to Prune Forsythia
Forsythia is one of the most commonly-grown shrubs in the home garden – and one of the most abused. There are two approaches to pruning forsythia, depending on what state it’s in. Here’s how to decide which approach to take and how to do it.
The Complete Guide to Pruning Shears
Pruners (also called clippers, pruning shears, or secateurs) are used to trim and shape plants, deadhead, prune out dead or damaged foliage and small branches, and cut back perennials. They’re one of the most-used gardening tools so it’s important to get a pair that works best for you. Pruning shears generally won’t cut through anything […]