Did you know that there are several popular and very common flowering bushes that you should never prune in early spring?
Although spring is often a time for sprucing up the landscape, there are a few tasks that should be avoided at all costs – and one of the biggest to avoid is pruning a large majority of flowering bushes. Why? Because pruning in the spring can lead to little to zero flowering!
Understanding the growth cycle of the plants growing in your landscape can be a huge key to not only keeping them healthy – but also to keeping them full of flowers every single growing season. Unfortunately, all too often, when bushes fail to bloom or bloom poorly, it’s because of when and how they were pruned – and not because the bush isn’t healthy.
Although many bushes form their blooms during the same growing season, quite a few set their blooms the prior year. And if you cut that growth off in early spring – you cut this year’s blooms off right along with it.
With saving your flowering bushes in mind – here is a look at four common bushes that fit that bill – and why not to prune them this spring!
4 Bushes You Should Never Prune In The Spring
Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are shrubs that bloom with colorful flowers in late spring to early summer. But the perennial bush grows its flower buds on old wood, meaning the blooms come from branches that formed in the previous year.
If you prune rhododendrons in early spring, you will cut off the buds that are getting ready to bloom. Which also means you won’t get any flowers that year. You can certainly shape and cut back a few wild branches here and there – but it’s best to never shear much off of your rhododendron in late fall or early spring.
The best time to prune rhododendrons is right after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer. This gives the plant plenty of time to grow new branches and form flower buds for the next year.
Why You Shouldn’t Prune Lilac Bushes In The Spring
Another very popular bush to avoid pruning in the spring are lilac bushes. It’s hard to beat the fragrance of fresh lilac blossoms in late spring. The classic shrubs are incredibly popular and found in lot of gardens and landscapes all over.
But like some other flowering plants, lilacs bloom on old wood, meaning they grow flowers on branches from the previous year.
Pruning lilacs is important for sure. It helps keep them neat and healthy, but when you do it makes a big difference. If you trim them in the spring you’ll cut off the wood that would have produced next year’s flowers, leaving you with little to no blooms. The same goes for pruning in late fall for lilacs.
So when is the ideal time? The best time to prune lilacs is right after they finish flowering. If the bush is overgrown or looking rough, you can cut back up to a third of it to encourage new growth. Also, remove any weak, thin stems and small shoots near the base to keep the plant strong.
One thing that can play a pivotal role in lilacs blooming is water. Be sure the bush is getting at least one inch of rain fall or water in late fall and early spring. This will both help to form blooms – and allow them to unfurl with big color!
Never Prune Hydrangeas That Bloom On Old Wood
A large majority of hydrangeas such as Bigleaf and Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood. Just as with lilacs and rhododendrons, pruning these bushes in early spring will remove the flower buds.
Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood grow their flowers on branches from the previous year. If you prune them in early spring, you will cut off the buds that are getting ready to bloom.
The best time to trim both of these hydrangeas is right after they finish blooming in the summer. This way, they have time to grow new branches that will produce flowers next year. If you wait too long and prune in fall, winter, or spring, you’ll remove the buds and miss out on their beautiful blooms.
If your hydrangea bush is too big or needs shaping, only cut off dead or weak branches in early spring. It’s best to never prune hydrangeas way back as it can actually delay blooming for a year or two. Finally, fertilizing your bushes at the right time can also be pivotal in helping them bloom. See: How To Fertilize Hydrangeas.
Why You Should Never Prune Wisteria Bushes In Early Spring
Wisteria is a beautiful, fast-growing vine known for its big drooping clusters of flowers in the spring. However, if you prune it in early spring, you will be removing the flower buds before they ever have a chance to bloom.
Since wisteria blooms on old wood, the buds develop on branches from the previous year. And if you cut these branches in early spring, you will lose that season’s flowers.
Wisteria is a vigorous vine, and regular pruning is needed to keep it from becoming overgrown. However, heavy pruning at the wrong time can delay or completely prevent flowering for a year or more.
The best time to prune wisteria is in late summer, after it has finished blooming. This allows the plant to grow strong branches and set flower buds for the next season. Light pruning to remove dead or tangled branches is fine in early spring, but avoid cutting back healthy growth.
Here is to keeping the flowering bushes in your landscape flowering – by simply not pruning them in the spring!
Simple Garden Life
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