Avoid Pruning These Plants Before Fall: A List of 7 Plants You Shouldn't Prune During Summer
In the heart of summer, gardens are bursting with colour and life. But did you know that autumn is the perfect time to prepare for next year's blooms? Here's a guide to pruning and planting for summer flowers, as well as some essential tips for sustainable gardening.
Firstly, let's talk about some summer-blooming plants that thrive with a bit of pruning. Butterfly bush, with its profuse summer blooms and attraction to butterflies, can be pruned aggressively in spring. Its pretty anemone-like flowers bloom in shades of yellow, orange, red, white, or pink.
Oleander, an evergreen flowering shrub or small tree hardy in USDA zones 9-11, is another summer bloomer. Smoke bush, with its wispy, smoke-like flowers in late spring and early summer, should be pruned in late winter or early spring.
August is still a good time to plant eight specific flowers, including daisies, delphiniums, and lantana. However, there are some plants that should not be pruned during summer to ensure their health and blooming potential.
Oak trees are best left unpruned in summer to prevent oak wilt, a fungal disease spread by beetles attracted to fresh cuts. It's safer to prune oaks in winter when beetles are inactive. Rhododendrons, too, should be pruned right after blooming in spring to preserve next year's blooms.
Many woody deciduous plants are generally not recommended for late summer pruning because the new growth encouraged by pruning may not have time to harden off before colder weather, putting the plant at risk. Additionally, the exact guidance for pruning hydrangeas and hibiscus depends on the species and local climate.
In contrast, some plants such as yarrow, azaleas, deutzia, certain cherry trees, and panicle hydrangeas can benefit from summer pruning. Panicle hydrangeas produce clusters of white flowers in summer that turn pink later, and they should be pruned in fall, late winter, or early spring.
Sustainable gardening is important, and sustainable plants can be purchased. Planting a pollinator garden with essentials like these can help bees and promote a healthier ecosystem.
Lastly, remember that each plant has its own unique needs and pruning schedule. Always research your plants before pruning, and prune them at the right time to ensure their health and blooming potential.
[1] Source: Garden Myths: Pruning [2] Source: Garden Pruning: What, When, and How [3] Source: Pruning Hydrangeas: When, Why, and How [4] Source: Pruning in Late Summer: What You Should Know
- To enhance the gardening aspect of your home-and-garden lifestyle, consider exploring sustainable plants for a pollinator garden, which can encourage bees and promote a healthier ecosystem.
- As autumn approaches, don't forget that it's the perfect time to prepare your lifestyle garden for next year's blooms by planting certain flowers like daisies and lantana, while also pruning some plants, such as panicle hydrangeas, in fall, late winter, or early spring.
