*Original post from March 2016*
With a couple of 65-70 degree days this month already, it feels like a carrot is being dangled over our frosty noses! I couldn't help but do some pruning. Started on my sedum plants, and then cut back my Hydrangea tree. Next on my list will be the Spirea, by the east wall of the garage.
Those exceptionally warm days can suggest that we should clean up the yard in its entirety, removing all debris and such. But it is wise to wait...just a little longer. There are still some cold days(and nights)ahead.
Some of your perennials may have started growing already. While tempting to remove, its best to let the leaf litter remain until we get more consistent, warm weather--especially plants that are insulated, at the crown level, with old growth(Heuchera/Coral Bells).
Some of those new shoots may decide to poke through anyway, but at least they will have some protection from cold overnight temps. Grasses can be cut back at this time to make room for new growth. Some are cold season--like Calamagrostis 'Karl Forestor'--and will be coming up soon. Others, like Miscanthus varieties, are warm season and will be coming up later but it is still ok to prune the old growth, now.
Some plant material you do not want to prune in the Spring: Lilacs, Forsythias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Magnolias. These shrubs set their flowers the year before. So if you want those blooms, wait until summer to trim!
Your summer blooming shrubs, like Spirea, Weigela, Hydrangea, Ninebark--those can be pruned in early Spring. Remove 1/3 of overall height and shape for the season. Some larger shrubs, like Lilacs, will have large stems that can become trunk-like if left too long. You can prune 1/3 of those larger stems out, to the ground, to thin out the shrub. But wait on pruning the height(for Lilacs) until after they bloom.
Spireas do best when they are cut back hard, a few inches from the ground, every 2-3 years bc they grow from existing wood and continue send up new shoots. This will keep them nice and tidy. You can also lightly pruned many varieties, mid-summer, to remove the flowers and keep them more uniform.
Roses can also be pruned in the Spring. Most are hardy Shrub Roses which require much less maintenance than the hybrid teas your grandmother used to grow. Simply trim the old growth to where the stems are green, into a rounded shape. A slow-release fertilizer, for roses, or something like Osmocote works well to feed the plants through the season.
Evergreens are pruned differently than our deciduous, woody plant materials. Some grow through candling--the soft, bright needles you see on the ends of spruce trees. Some are more scaly, like the tall arborvitae you see planted in old cemetaries. Junipers are prickly, but also scaly and need to be pruned in such a way that they don't have that chopped look. Below is one of my favorites: Acrocona 'Pusch'--a more shrubby version of the tree, from the Norway Spruce family. Love those purple cones!
Let's talk about weeding. What is a weed? It is simply a plant growing where it shouldn't be. I advise clients to take a walk through their yards, at least once a week, to look for weeds and pull them out. In April and May, you will notice a lot of tree seedlings, popping up. I spend a lot of time pulling them out bc if you don't, they will become woody in no time and much harder to remove.
To help prevent some weeds, you can use Preen--a preemergent granule that is applied on top of your mulch. It prevents weed seeds from germinating. They make a chemical version as well as an organic(made from corn gluten). Regular Preen is applied in April and July. The organic type lasts about 6 weeks instead of 3 months and will need to be applied more often. FYI: tree seedlings are already up before Preen is applied...so, keep pulling those out, by hand!
I'm excited for all the spring bulbs that will be coming up soon. They are the first show in the season and a welcome sight!
I hope you feel inspired for the season ahead! I know I am. If you are in need of assistance with your Landscape/garden needs, let me know. I am happy to help & apply these tips to get your outdoor digs ready for the joy and relaxation they can provide.
Cheers,
Liz Pasch
