Pruning Spring Flowering Shrubs and Vines
You already know that it is advisable to prune any and all dead diseased and damaged limbs, branches, vines - that's a given. Oh, and snip out tree limbs that cross or rub, too. But flowering shrubs and vines are confusing to keep track of if you have several types. Hydrangeas in particular are challenging because some varieties bloom on old wood and some bloom on new wood. (The photo is this morning's new growth on a clematis vine that blooms dark purple.) Here are excerpts from a column on spring pruning by Pat Howell who writes the "Easy Gardener" column for the Tacoma Silver Spring Voice in Maryland. (Click on the link to read in full.) Some plants like to be pruned BEFORE they bloom because they bloom on new wood - that is, they form their flower buds now. Some shrubs bloom on old wood - they formed their flower buds last fall. Right now Azaleas have this year's buds and so you would not prune until AFTER they bloom. Hard pruning With sharpened hand pruner...