Erik's Gardening Tips

caring for plants that have bloomed

One of the biggest questions I get concerning flowering shrubs is about care, specifically pruning. When to do it? How? etc.
Here are a few tips that may help you.
For shrubs that bloom in spring on last year's wood, prune them in bloom or right after. The reason being is that those plants bloom on growth produced the previous year which has ripened. Flower buds form in summer, fall and then the following year bloom on short branches which mainly produce blooms from that year old growth. This pruning technique also renews the plant and keeps the natural form.
You do not have to prune all shrubs, but there are a great many that will benefit from this type of pruning and provide a lavish display of bloom in the garden.
Species like Deutzia, Philadelphus, Weigela, Kerria, Spirea and syringa (Lilacs)are some of the shrubs benefiting from this treatment. Viburnums (especially V. plicatum tomentosum cvs. do not need any pruning, and many others only need minimal trimming)
Fountainous graceful growth follows in species of spirea, and you will improve the compact habit of Weigelas. philadelphus and deutzia will bloom much more if handled in this fashion.
If you do not make individual branch cuts, then you can simple hedge shear the outer 1/3 - 1/2 of the shrub and it will burst forth is a great flush of growth. Leave that alone to bloom next spring.
When you cut branches for vase, cut a bit longer stems and just trim off the excess to fit your vessel. There is nothing more elegant than sprays of flowering shrub branches in arrangements. You can arrange with just branches, or add additional flowers to create a breathtaking arrangement.
Condition stems by cutting in evening and placing branches overnight in deep water, then arrange the next day, keeping those stems moist. You can open the cut ends with either vertical pruing cuts up the cut stem end or hammer them to create a larger surface area to take up water.
Flowering trees generally do not need much trimming to produce a good floral display. If you wish to cut branches, keep in mind the branching structure and cut minimally to keep a nice tree canopy shape. Don't cut too much from plants like flowering cherry, dogwood, or magnolia, you can ruin the shape. If you want some of their blooms, cut from the back or thin out excess branches to leave a less visible cut.