A question we often hear this time of year is, “When should I prune my spring flowering shrubs?” Azaleas and forsythia, for example, can take us by surprise in spring by how much they have grown. You may need to prune your shrubs to restore their shape or to reclaim a path or part of a bed. In general, the correct time to prune these shrubs is right after flowering. Prune by removing weak or damaged wood and by cutting flowering branches back to areas of vigorous growth. Be sure to keep an eye on the shape and habit of the plant by stepping back and reviewing your work frequently. By pruning right after flowering, you allow the plants to develop replacement shoots that will mature and flower the next season. If you delay pruning too late into the growing season, or into the winter, new shoots won’t develop or they will not ripen enough to produce flowers. This rule of thumb can be used as a general guide for azaleas, forsythia, corylopsis, flowering quince, lilacs, and most other shrubs that flower in spring.
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The Winterthur Garden Blog is the official Web log of Winterthur Museum & Country Estate. The blog offers behind-the-scenes information and personal perspectives on the garden, written by the people who work and volunteer here.
Photo by Allen Rokach-
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- Anemone, cardinal flower, and white wood aster in flower at the Quarry. 1 week ago
- Cosmos, angelonia, sunflowers, and zinnias are keeping the kids' gardens looking fun and colorful this summer. 3 weeks ago
- I have been travelling, but I am back now and the Hydrangeas look spectacular out in the garden and along Clenny Run by the Cottage. 2 months ago
- The peonies are in all their glory. Be sure and look for the beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabalis) and its fountains of soft pink flowers. 3 months ago
- So many azaleas coming into bloom - and so early. Trillium, windflower, and Virginia bluebells are still putting on a show. 4 months ago
Winterthur Weather Data- Current data summary at 2010/9/2 September 2, 2010Time of Observations: 2010/09/02 10:10:00 EDT Gage Precipitation (60): 0 in Air Temperature: 81.4 deg. F Dew Point Temperature: 71.4 deg. F Wind Speed: 3 mph Wind Direction: 207.9 deg. (SSW) Barometric Pressure: 30.12 inHg Solar Radiation: 512 W.m-2 Wind Gust Speed (5): 4.2 mph at 10:06 Gage Precipitation (5): 0 in Relative humidity: 72 % Heat Index: 85.6 de […]
- Current data summary at 2010/9/2 September 2, 2010
