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Virginia Gardening

Trimming shrubs

15 years ago

I have some rhododendrons, forsythia, and a shrug that flowers salmon-colored flowers, and I'm wondering if they would benefit from being cut back. I'm going to prune my butterfly bushes next weekend and that got me wondering if I shouldn't be doing the others on an annual basis.

Thank you for any help :)

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gardener_sandy
15 years ago
Pruning is used to keep a plant to a desired size, force it into some desired shape, remove dead wood, and a few other reasons. I never prune "just because." I have to have a reason to do it.

The forsythia is a spring bloomer and if pruning is needed it should be done just after it finishes blooming. Rhododendrons are best pruned in June or July. The salmon-colored flowers may be on a flowering quince. Look at google images to see if that's what you have. Whatever it is, if it's flowering now, then it's in the same category as the forsythia and should be pruned (if needed) soon after it finishes blooming.

I've included a link to a very good publication by VA Tech on pruning. They have several others on the subject, also.

Sandy

Here is a link that might be useful: Shrub pruning calendar
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