If you are considering a summer or fall pruning for your landscape plants in Spokane, Spokane Valley, or Liberty Lake this article is packed full of information about pruning plants in our local area.
Of course, if you are looking to hire a lawn service to prune your plants, give us a call or complete any form on our website to request your free pruning quote from Spokane’s Finest Lawns.
The Benefits of Summer and Fall Pruning
Many plants should be pruned in the Spring, often before the new growth begins while they are still dormant from the winter. But, there are many plants that should be pruned in the Summer and Fall too.
Even if the ‘hard pruning’ should occur in the Spring or early Spring, Fall and Summer pruning can keep them looking their best and contained within their space in your landscape beds.
Some plants require pruning during the fall or summer to ensure the next rounds of blooms are not cut off.
What is ‘hard pruning?’
Hard pruning simply refers to cutting back the plant material over and beyond trimming back the excessive growth for aesthetic purposes.
You may want to perform hard pruning on certain plants if they are outgrowing their space in your flower beds. One thing to understand is that the plants may ‘look funny’ after a hard pruning because it will take time for the foliage to grow back. It is also very important to perform hard pruning at the right time for that specific plant to ensure no permanent damage is done in the process.
How do I know when to prune certain plants?
The key is to identify the plant and then look up this information online or ask a local nursery for the proper time to prune that specific plant.
Do my plants need to be pruned now?
Almost all shrubs or bushes and ornamental trees should be pruned at least once per year to keep them healthy and growing properly. It’s best to perform hard pruning at the recommended time of the year if at all possible.
If your plants are ‘getting hairy’ or growing wild out of control, pruning is the best way to get them back into shape and looking great again.
Do I need to collect and remove the plant clippings?
Yes. You will want to collect and remove all plant clippings because if they are left at the base of the plant they are likely to decompose over time and possibly introduce mold or fungus that can damage or kill your plant.
Who can I call to prune my plants in the Spokane Valley area?
Spokane’s Finest Lawns prunes plants in Spokane Valley, along with Spokane and Liberty Lake, WA. If you are looking for a local landscaping company to perform your pruning service, we offer plant pruning services in the spring, summer, and fall.
We know the plants in our local area and how to prune them properly! Our quotes come fast and free so please request yours today. If our quote sounds good to you, we can get you on our schedule quickly.
When to prune plants by plant type:
Many plants to call for pruning in the Springtime too!
But, often spring pruning alone is not enough to keep the plant’s looking well-maintained all season long. Below is a list of some common plants found in the landscapes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and nearby with the recommended time to prune each.
Hawthorn
Early Spring – Early spring is the ideal time to prune hawthorn shrubs.
Summer – After the leaves fully mature in the summer, it is also safe to prune hawthorns.
Mock Orange
Late Spring or Early Summer – The ideal time to prune mock orange shrubs is immediately after the blooms fade, typically in May or June.
Tall Oregon Grape
Spring – Prune tall Oregon grape shrubs in the Springtime once they are done blooming.
Caragana
Early Spring – The best time to prune caragana is in the early spring before any new growth begins.
Ocean Spray
Late Winter or Early Spring – Ocean spray plants should be pruned in the late Winter or early Spring. If you need to reduce the size of your ocean spray shrub, do this in the Springtime after the blooms are spent.
Nootka Rose
Early Spring – Prune Nootka roses in the early spring and deadhead them throughout the year to encourage repeat blooms!
Ninebark
Late Spring or Early Summer – Prune ninebark shrubs to your desired shape in late spring or early summer. If you need to check it in check during the summer and fall, trim it back after the flowers fade.
Buffaloberry
Late Winter or Early Spring – Buffaloberry shrubs prefer to be trimmed back while dormant, but you can do a hard pruning after they bloom in the spring if needed.
Thimbleberry
Summer – Prune thimbleberry shrub’s canes down to a height of 6 inches from the ground if they produced raspberry-like fruit. Wait to prune the rest of the canes until a year in which they bloom!
Spirea
Early Spring – Be sure to prune spirea before buds start to swell to ensure you do not cut off near-future blooms! Don’t be afraid to trim spirea to a height of 6 inches if you need to shrink the shrub.
Lilac
Spring – Immediately after lilac’s bloom in the spring, prune them so you next cut off next year’s blooms!
Dogwood
Late Fall or Winer – Prune dogwood shrubs and ornamental trees while they are not actively growing in late fall or over the winter months.
Alder
Late Fall or Early Winter – To keep alders as healthy as can be, prune them late in the fall or early in the winter.
Golden Current
Late Winter or Early Spring – Golden currents want to be pruned while they are dormant and not actively growing.