One of the most asked gardening questions across the country is about pruning: when, how and can I hurt my plants?
Now is the time to prune evergreens including pine, spruce, junipers and especially cedar (and cedar hedges!) Also, it is time to prune back your rose to about 15 to 20 cm high and all of the shrubs that bloomed last fall, including Rose of Sharon (hisbiscus,) hydrangea and budlea (butterfly bush.)
Do not prune spring flowering shrubs until after they have flowered or you will remove many of the blossom buds and therefore much of the blooming potential for the shrubs.
When pruning remove up to 1/2 of last years' growth, if your goal is merely to thicken them up. If your goal is to bring an overgown evergreen or shrub under control it is OK to be aggressive and cut up to 1/3 of it away, but be aware that the plant will now look odd and may take 2 to 3 years to fill in."
Mark
