Established Plants

Pruning
•As a rule of thumb, spring bloomers are pruned after they bloom and summer bloomers are pruned in early spring.

Flowering Shrubs
• Most shrubs, except conifers, should not be pruned until midsummer (late June, July, and August) and after any flowering is complete.

• Remove spent flowers by cutting just above an active shoot or bud and below the flower head. Deeper cuts can be made if size control is needed.

Conifer Trees & Shrubs
• Cut back new growth up to half of length as needles start to harden, to control size and shape as desired.

Deciduous Trees
• Prune summer/fall to remove weak branches, parallel branches, intersecting or rubbing braches.

• Remove any sucker growth from below the established branch line.

• If you desire to raise the branch line, do so gradually by removing the lowest branches after two years of growth.

Perennials
• Dead head perennials by removing spent flowers. Cut 1 to 2 leaf groupings below flower head.

• Fall cleanup - cut back dead foliage after hard freeze

• Some perennials have attractive seed structure and may be left until late fall.

Fertilizing
• Fertilize trees and shrubs regularly after the first year with any brand of fertilizer recommended for trees and shrubs. Apply 1 lb. / 100 square feet of bed area.

• Apply fertilizer in spring and fall before new growth appears.