When to Prune: Pruning Common Shrubs and Grasses

Pruning your landscape plants at the right time is essential for maintaining a healthy and beautiful yard throughout the year. If you’re curious about when to grab those pruners, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a friendly guide tailored just for you, covering the best practices for pruning popular shrubs and ornamental grasses for our region of the Midwest. Happy gardening!

Boxwoods: When and How to Prune

Boxwoods are a staple in residential landscapes, prized for their evergreen foliage and tidy appearance. While boxwood blight has affected some regions, St. Louis remains largely unaffected.

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins.
• Maintenance Tips: Light trimming throughout the growing season keeps them neat. However, avoid heavy shearing in late summer to prevent winter damage.

 

Junipers: Low Maintenance Pruning Tips

Junipers require minimal pruning but benefit from occasional shaping. They also serve as valuable habitat for wildlife. 

• Best Time to Prune: Early spring, before new growth appears.
• Key Considerations: Avoid cutting into old wood, as junipers do not regenerate well from deep cuts. Light touch-ups can be done throughout the growing season to maintain shape.

Arborvitae: How To Keep Them Thriving

Arborvitae are resilient and easy to maintain with proper pruning techniques.

• Best Time to Prune: Early spring or mid-summer.
• Maintenance Tips: Avoid cutting into older wood, as new growth may not fill in those gaps. Perform light maintenance pruning throughout the season, but save major reshaping for early in the growing cycle.

Deciduous Shrubs: Timing Your Cuts for Maximum Blooms

Deciduous shrubs fall into two categories based on their blooming habits—those that bloom on old wood and those that bloom on new wood.

Shrubs That Bloom On Old Wood

These plants develop flower buds on last season’s growth, so pruning too late can remove the upcoming blooms for the next season.

• Examples: Lilacs, forsythia, and viburnum.
• Best Time to Prune: Immediately after they finish flowering to allow new buds to develop for next year.

Shrubs That Bloom On New Wood

These plants bloom on fresh growth from the current season, so pruning them in early spring encourages stronger blooms.

• Examples: Butterfly bush, spirea, and Hydrangea paniculata.
• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.

While native perennials are excellent for sustainability and pollinators, these early-blooming non-native perennials also bring beauty to the spring garden.

Ornamental Grasses: Annual Pruning for a Polished Look

Ornamental grasses bring movement and texture to any landscape but require yearly maintenance to stay healthy.

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth begins.
• Maintenance Tips: Use sharp shears to cut grasses down to 4–6 inches above the ground. Waiting too long can cause new green blades to mix with old growth, making cleanup difficult.

Why Proper Pruning Matters

Pruning isn’t just about keeping plants tidy—it promotes plant health, encourages vigorous growth, and enhances seasonal beauty. If your shrubs have become overgrown, a professional landscape maintenance service can help with regenerative pruning to restore their natural shape.

Expert Landscape Maintenance in Greater St. Louis

If you’re in the Midwest and eager to transform your outdoor space, look no further. Frisella Landscape Group is here to help with expert landscape design and top-notch pruning and maintenance services in the Greater St. Louis Area. We proudly serve homeowners across St. Louis and nearby communities like St. Charles, St. Peters, Wildwood, Fenton, Eureka, Washington, and Edwardsville, and more. Let’s work together to create and maintain a beautiful landscape that you can enjoy every day!

 

Need help with seasonal pruning or want to revamp your outdoor space? Contact our team today and let’s bring your landscape to life!