Midwinter perfect time to prune most shrubs. Right here’s what it’s good to know.

Midwinter is a superb time to get outdoor and prune shrubs.

“You may prune shrubs any time, nevertheless it’s usually simpler when they’re leafless and dormant,” mentioned Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic supervisor at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “You may see their branching construction with out foliage in the best way.”

Pruning when shrubs are actively rising usually stimulates a burst of disorderly new development. That gained’t occur in case you prune whereas the crops are dormant. As an alternative, pruning now will direct their development as soon as the rising season begins.

As a result of ailments and bugs are additionally dormant in chilly climate, winter pruning is much less more likely to unfold ailments or pests. “You continue to have to apply good hygiene, akin to disinfecting your pruners between cuts with alcohol,” she mentioned.

Listed here are some suggestions from the Plant Clinic for winter pruning:

Select what to prune. Midwinter pruning is greatest for deciduous shrubs, not evergreens. “Wait to prune evergreens till April or so, simply earlier than their spring burst of development begins,” Janoski mentioned.

You’ll additionally need to keep away from winter pruning of shrubs that bloom in spring, akin to forsythia, lilac, flowering quince, and viburnum. “These shrubs carry their flower buds via winter, so in case you prune them now, you may be eradicating flower buds that will bloom this spring,” she mentioned. It gained’t harm the plant, however it’ll diminish this spring’s bloom present. Discover a chart that tells when to prune many species of backyard shrubs at mortonarb.org/prune-timing. The Plant Clinic might help you determine shrubs.

Use sharp instruments. Sharp pruners and saws will make clear cuts which can be much less more likely to admit illness or decay and can seal up extra rapidly. “It’s additionally simpler to chop when your instruments are sharp,” she mentioned.

Hold it pure. Most shrubs look greatest and will probably be healthiest if they’re pruned selectively with hand pruners, department by department, in a means that respects their pure kind. Use energy hedge trimmers just for formal hedges.

Prune for a goal. Earlier than you begin, assume via why you might be pruning the plant. “Not each shrub wants pruning in any respect,” she mentioned. “However in case you do prune, your causes ought to information the method you employ.” When you purpose to scale back the shrub’s measurement or simply need to tidy up its define, chances are you’ll solely take away just a few branches that stick out. To open up a shrub to air circulation and provides it a extra sleek kind, rejuvenate it by reducing again one-third of the oldest, largest stems close to the bottom. If the shrub is a dense tangle, chances are you’ll have to renew it by reducing the entire thing again. Study extra about pruning methods at mortonarb.org/shrub-prune.

Pause and replicate. Each few cuts, step again and verify in case you’ve carried out sufficient to realize your required impact. “It’s doable to get carried away,” Janoski mentioned. When you prune an excessive amount of, there’s no want to fret, she mentioned: “The plant will practically at all times recuperate in time.”

For tree and plant recommendation, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a workers author on the Arboretum.