Marianne's Response

Pruning Shrubs in the Northwest

I recently moved to Olympia from Dallas and need information regarding pruning of shrubs. I have two bushes in my front yard. I do not know the name but in the fall the leaves turn to red, and when the leaves fall off there are red berries on the branches. I also have a shrub/tree that has green leaves with pink buds, the buds bloom in late summer. I would like to prune both before they start growing again as they are too big. I don’t want to damage the shrubs, can you give me advise re: the proper time to prune?

Thank you for your help.
JNB

Posted by Joann Bittner on January 12, 2014

Marianne's Response

Welcome to Washington but don't get too snippy just yet. In January the shrubs are dormant but if you prune now you will be cutting off flower buds that are hiding. Pruning after blooming is the general rule of green thumb so wait and prune spring flowering shrubs like rhodias, azaleas and forsythia right after they flower. Winter is the time to prune fruit trees and roses in Washington state. You will not kill your hardy shrubs by pruning now so if you don't mind missing out on the flowers one year, go ahead and cut them down to size - sometimes the best time to prune is when the sharp shears are in your hands and you just have the urge to get control over wayward plants. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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