Pruning in July can keep your landscape tidy, your flowers blooming, and your harvests' health, but timing and technique are everything! Some plants thrive with a midsummer haircut, while others suffer if snipped at the wrong time.
Ma Nature is in full swing this time of year, so it's vital to know which plants benefit from pruning in July and which ones to leave alone. From encouraging more flowers to improving airflow, this month's garden grooming comes with big rewards when done right. Let's dive into the dos and don'ts of July pruning, so you're not left with wilted blooms or stressed-out shrubs.
What To Prune In July
1. Deadhead Spent Blooms
Many flowering annuals and perennials appreciate deadheading to prolong the bloom season.
- Boosts new bud production.
- Helps maintain a tidy appearance.
- Great for Roses, Coneflowers, Zinnias, Daylilies, and Geraniums.
- Use clean snips and remove faded flowers down to the first set of healthy leaves.
- Learn more about deadheading here.
2. Shear or Pinch Back Overgrown Annuals
Midseason is the perfect time to rejuvenate leggy annuals.
- Cut or pinch back by one-third to half.
- Works well for Petunias, Bacopa, Calibrachoa, and Verbena.
- Water and fertilize after shearing to encourage a fresh flush of growth.
3. Summer-Blooming Shrubs (After They Flower)
Once flowering finishes, prune to shape and thin.
- Examples: Weigela, Spirea, and Mock Orange.
- Remove dead wood and weak stems.
- Don't delay! Wait too long and you risk removing next year's blooms.
4. Berry Bushes (Once Harvest is Over)
Prune back Raspberries and Blackberry canes that bore fruit this year.
- Cut fruiting canes to the ground.
- Leave newer green canes (primocanes) for next year's crop.
- Improve airflow and reduce disease pressure.
5. Fast-Growing Evergreens (Lightly Shape)
For plants like Boxwood or Privet, light pruning keeps things tidy.
- Avoid cutting into old wood.
- Trim for shape, not size reduction.
What NOT To Prune In July
1. Spring-Flowering Shrubs (It's Too Late!)
Pruning these now removes next year's flower buds. Read which shrubs to prune in the spring here.
- Lilac, Forsythia, Azalea, Viburnum, and Flowering Quince.
- The best time to prune was immediately after they bloomed in spring.
- Leave them alone until next year.
2. Maple, Birch, and Dogwood Trees
These trees are still actively transporting sap and water.
- July pruning can lead to oozing sap and stress.
- Prune these species in late fall or winter while they are dormant.
3. Evergreens in Hot Zones
Avoid pruning Pine, Spruce, or Arborvitae during intense summer heat.
- New cuts may scorch.
- Late fall is safer for shaping.
4. Stressed or Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs
If a plant is already struggling in the summer heat or has just been planted:
- Don't prune unless removing dead/damaged growth.
- Give them time to establish.
Tips For Successful July Pruning
-
Use Sharp, Clean Tools: Sterilize pruners with rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent disease spread.
-
Prune in the Morning or Evening: Avoid peak heat to minimize plant stress.
-
Apply Arborist Mulch: Help conserve moisture and protect roots after pruning. Read more about arborist mulch here.
- Use the Finger Test: To check soil moisture around newly pruned plants, push your finger into the soil 3-4 inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. New plants need to be kept consistently moist at all times, throughout their first year in the ground.
A Snip In Time Saves The Shrub
July pruning is all about balance! Give your garden a tidy refresh without interrupting the rhythm of Ma Nature. Be selective, prune with purpose, and you'll enjoy a longer bloom season, a tidier landscape, and happier plants. With just a few careful cuts, you can keep your flowers coming, your fruits producing, and your shrubs in tip-top shape well into late summer.
Think of it as summer's garden tune-up, not a major overhaul, but a helpful spruce-up that sets the stage for strong growth and beauty ahead. And remember, sometimes the best cut is the one you don't make.
Happy Planting!
