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How do I prune azaleas?

Pruning a young azalea plant after the plant is through blooming will promote lateral branching and a more compact form. Prune lightly at the very tip of the branches for best results. Older azaleas should be pruned by removing larger branches from the interior of the plant. Removing the larger branches...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 08-13-2008
Should I prune my Annabelle hydrangeas?

Sure you can prune your Annabelle hydrangeas. Except, do not prune in the spring or early summer. Annabelle hydrangeas bloom on new wood on stems that have begun growing in the spring, so if you prune the new growth before they bloom, it will be the following year before you see a blossom. Annabelle...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 07-19-2008
What factors influence a plants ability to flower?

I think that a lot of backyard gardeners choose a plant that will flower with a favorite color or scent. Then, after waiting the appropriate amount of time for the flowers to appear, disappointment. I get many requests for information about why a particular plant does not flower. Some of the answers...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 05-26-2008
Should I prune a tree branch as close as I can to the trunk?

Trees begin to heal the wound made by pruning by attempting to wall off the wound with a collar like growth. Each tree branch has a collar around the branch where it attachés to the trunk. You may have to look closely for relatively young branches, but the collar is there. Cutting the branch as close...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 04-01-2008
Can I keep a larger tree smaller by pruning?

The answer is yes, but, you will be pruning the tree or plant annually or more for a long time. Plants will grow to their genetically determined size. Keeping the tree or plant smaller to fit into your chosen location will commit yourself to a lifetime of pruning, or at least the life time of the plant...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 03-26-2008
Can some shrubs be cut back to ground level?

The practice of cutting all of a shrubs stems back to about 2 inches above the ground is called rejuvenation pruning. Cutting back a shrub to the base can be scary but new growth will appear and rapidly form near the cut. The benefit of cutting back to the base is that the shrub will maintain its natural...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 03-25-2008
Blooms on the Rose of Sharon

Rose of sharon plants are very popular and there are a lot of varieties to choose from. They have beautiful blooms, when they bloom. But what if your rose of sharon is not blooming? What can you do to make sure that you can enjoy the flowers on this plant? Growing conditions and pruning are two common...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by bryan-nhn on 02-05-2008
How and why should I pinch back my plants?

Pinching back sounds like it would hurt doesn't it? I remember getting pinched when I was younger and it usually meant I had done something to deserve it. It sure didn't help me grow, well, I did learn not to do whatever caused the pinching again. So, I did grow, didn't I? Pinching back a...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by patti-nhn on 01-29-2008
When should you prune oak trees?

Spring is the appropriate time to prune most trees, but not oak trees. When oak trees are pruned in the spring the fresh sap that the wounds secret attracts beatles. The beatles can infect the oak trees with the oak-wilt disease. Red oaks, pin oaks, and black oaks may die quickly after they are infected...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 01-29-2008
When is the right time to prune a Lilac?

Lilacs have a tendency to get quite large and dense with age, so trying to control this plant can become an issue. Lilacs should be pruned in the spring right after they bloom. Begin by removing the dead wood. Then remove some of the oldest stems and finally cut off the smaller suckers at ground level...

Posted to Common Questions Answered (Weblog) by Bill-nhn on 01-17-2008

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