Avoiding Summer Maintenance on Certain Plants (Despite Common Practice for Most)
In the lush, vibrant world of gardening, understanding the needs of your plants is crucial for a thriving garden. As summer approaches, it's essential to know which plants require care and which need a break. Here's a helpful guide to summer pruning, focusing on what to do and what to avoid.
Firstly, it's best to avoid pruning certain plants during the summer months. For instance, Abelia shrubs, which flower on the current season's growth, should be left untouched as pruning in summer removes flower buds and reduces their value to pollinators. Similarly, Crape Myrtle, spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons, and perennials that bloom in spring should all be pruned after they have finished blooming, not during summer.
However, summer is an ideal time for trimming certain shrubs and trees after they have flowered. Shrubs that bloom in late spring or early summer, such as Wisteria and Cherry trees, can benefit from pruning in July to maintain health and shape. Deutzia, a hardy shrub known for its beautiful summer blooms, should be pruned in early July after flowering on old wood from the previous summer.
Pine trees, known for their dormancy during summer, should avoid watering, pruning, or fertilizing during this period. If shaping is needed, it should be done during the "candling" phase in late spring.
When it comes to ornamentals, summer pruning can have significant effects. For example, pruning Japanese Maple should be done in late fall or winter, and only fertilize in early spring if necessary. Butterfly Bush should not be clipped back after spring, and Bearded Iris should be divided, pruned, and replanted in early fall when the plant is ready for rejuvenation.
Cactus and Succulents, popular for their resilience, require light shaping or propagation in spring or early fall, and watering should stay minimal in summer.
Lastly, it's important to remember that some plants, like Camellias, Peonies, and Panicle Hydrangeas, should not be watered, fertilized, or pruned during summer to ensure a bountiful bloom next year. After blooming in spring, spring-blooming bulbs like Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinths enter dormancy and begin storing energy for next year's show. It's best to leave their foliage until it has yellowed and dried naturally, usually by mid to late summer.
In conclusion, understanding when your garden favourites rest and recharge can help avoid costly mistakes and set them up for an even better season next year. By following this guide, you can ensure healthy blooms and plant vigour while minimising disease risk. Happy gardening!
- In the lush garden, perennials like Deutzia that bloom in summer should be pruned in early July after flowering.
- For a vibrant home-and-garden lifestyle, it's important to avoid pruning Abelia shrubs, Crape Myrtle, spring-flowering shrubs, and perennials that bloom in spring during the summer months.
- The summer season is an ideal time for trimming shrubs and trees after they have flowered, such as Wisteria and Cherry trees, which can benefit from pruning in July to maintain health and shape.
- Ornamentals like Japanese Maple should be pruned in late fall or winter, while Cactus and Succulents require light shaping or propagation in spring or early fall, with watering minimized in summer.
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