Pruning Shrubs

April 4, 2025

Springtime is the perfect time to prune shrubs in your landscape. Typically, the goal of pruning is to maintain or enhance the beauty of a shrub without harming its health. There are a few factors to consider when deciding when and how to prune.

First off make sure your tools are clean and sharp and take appropriate safety precautions. Dirty tools can spread diseases and dull tools make the work twice as hard.

Second determine what type of shrub you have. Timing for more severe pruning is determined by when the shrub flowers. Some shrubs bloom on last year’s growth and are early bloomers. Examples are lilac, forsythia, and mock orange. They are often pruned immediately after flowering to preserve enjoyment of the flowers.

Shrubs that flower on new growth and bloom in summer or those grown for foliage are normally pruned early in the spring before growth begins. Most broadleaved shrubs resprout vigorously due to the many dormant buds along the stem. Hydrangeas, butterfly bushes and roses all bloom on new growth.

It is important to note whether the plant is coniferous. If you cut a conifer, it may not grow back. Conifers (juniper, pine, spruce) do not have dormant buds on older wood, so they do not resprout behind pruning cuts.

Light pruning, where no more than 10% of the shrubs are removed, can be done any time of year. Start by removing all dead and diseased branches. Branches that cross or are out of place should be pruned next. Dead wood does not count in the 10%.

If you have questions, you can reach me at 620-842-5445 or jlcarr@ksu.edu.