Prune Time
In the Pacific Northwest, late summer is the perfect time to prune shrubs that bloom in the summer months, such as viburnum and escallonia. Waiting too long into the fall season to prune can spur growth that may not survive the colder winter months, and can also remove next year’s buds.
Viewer Tip: Prune to reduce the height of over-grown shrubs, get rid of wayward branches, and remove dead or diseased portions of the plant. As you prune, try to thin areas of excessive growth in the middle of the shrub. This allows sunlight to reach the inner-portions of the plant, encouraging the growth of new flowering branches.
Season: Summer
(Sources: National Gardening Association. “Regional Reminders: Pacific Northwest.” August 28, 2008. http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/reminders/2877; Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. “Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.” http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf)
