How to Prune Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is an important gardening technique that helps in maintaing a neat and aesthetically beautiful garden. It is important to keep the trees and shrubs trimmed so that they do not look shabby and unkempt. Pruning is not only necessary to maintain desired appearance but it is also important for the trees and shrubs to keep growing normally. Most of the times, rapid growth of trees and shrubs makes them dense and cluttered. they should be thinned and pruned to avid any damage to the stems and branches.

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Most of the trees and shrubs can be pruned in late fall or early winter season when they are dormant. It is considered to the best time to prune them as it minimizes sap bleeding and helps the tree to recover quickly in the spring season. Light pruning or thinning to maintain desired shape or structure can be done anytime of the year. However, it is important to make sure that you do not take off much or else the tree may go into shock.

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Flowering trees, shrubs and plants should be pruned in early spring and then after blooming season to encourage heavy flowering. Pruning, deadheading and removing spent flowers helps to induce more blooms. The trees and shrubs should be always be pruned as little as possible. Diseased and dead branches should be removed timely so that the infection does not spread to other parts. Outgrowing stems and branches that act as obstruction should also be removed. It is important to understand what the plant needs and identify the areas that need to be pruned before starting off.

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When pruning, always use sharp tools to make clean cuts. Make pruning cut just outside the branch collar not too close to the main trunk. If done properly, pruning will stimulate growth and your trees will flourish with burst of energy.

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Best Plants and Trees for Winter Landscaping

Landscaping your garden with the right kind of plants and trees can ensure all season interest. Winter landscaping is a great way of adding different varieties of plants, shrubs and trees that can add interest and color to the landscape even in long cold winter months. There are many evergreen trees, bushes and hedge plants that can be included in a winter garden. These evergreen trees are known to retain their foliage even in cold and harsh months. These trees and plants can complemented by growing some other interesting winter plants.

Red Twig Dogwood

Red Twig Dogwood is known for its brilliant red colored stems and branches that stand out in winters against the white snow. It is also called American Dogwood and grows well in damp areas and wet soil. It is a fast growing tree that is about 6 to 8 feet tall in height. Red Twig Dogwood loses almost all its leaves in the late fall to reveal its bright colored stems.

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Holly

Holly comes in many varieties and you can choose the one that is best for your garden. Holly is a prized winter shrub known for its red colored berries and beautiful dark green colored leaves. The leaves are very pretty and spiked at the ends. Holly is among many favorite holiday plants and trees that people love to grow on their property.

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Camellia

Camellia is beautiful evergreen shrub that is known for its big conspicuous flowers that bloom during fall, winter and early spring. The flowers can be white, red or pink in color. It is a small tree that grows fast and accentuates the landscape. Camellia is a common addition to Oriental and Chinese gardens.

Other quick growing trees and plants for winter interest include Winterberry, Paper Birch, Heather, Winter Daphne, Paper Bush, Red Chokeberry and Japanese Laurel. All these are amazing varieties for winter landscaping.

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