According to dictionary.com, one of the definitions of the word “dwarf” is “an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species.” This seems to be a very concise definition.
Notice what it does not say, though. It does not say anything about the height of your windows, the location of your sidewalk, or even the how close your other plants might be in relation to a supposed dwarf plant.
In a column dedicated to pruning, I think it is beneficial to acknowledge that a plant that is referred to as dwarf can indeed get very tall. The adjective “dwarf” simply means that it is smaller than other species in the same plant family. One very common dwarf plant is dwarf burning bush. The straight or regular burning bush can easily reach 12’-15’. The dwarf burning bush is typically about 6’. So in relation to the taller one, it is a dwarf, but in relation to your front sidewalk, it can be too big.
Pruning plants at the correct time is critical. If your plants need to be pruned, consider these general rules. Spring blooming plants such as lilacs, forsythia, and weigela should be pruned after they are done blooming. Summer blooming plants should be pruned in the fall. Flowering shrubs that are pruned at the wrong time may not flower as much as if they were pruned at the correct time.
The most common example of that would be lilacs. To ensure the most blooms possible, they should not be pruned after about mid-June. Often times though, the desire to keep the size of the plant in check outweighs the desire for flowers. Spirea and potentilla are good examples of summer blooming shrubs that may benefit from pruning in the fall. Certain varieties of those plants can tend to get woody over time. You may find that your spirea or potentilla respond well if they are pruned back to 8” above the ground in the fall.
Some plants are easier to prune when there are no leaves. Redtwig dogwood is a good example. It is easier to see what branches need pruning when there are no leaves. With dogwood, a common pruning technique is to choose the larger branches and prune them all the way to the ground. Redtwig dogwood branches can become diseased, and the entire plant will benefit by selectively pruning certain branches all the way down.
Pruning trees is often done to control or shape the plant. Certain branches can be removed to improve the overall appearance. Other branches may need to be removed if they are touching or rubbing each other. Evergreen trees are best pruned by selectively pruning some of the lateral (side) buds. The terminal bud (top) of the tree should be left untouched.
Another rule of thumb regarding larger, fuller shrubs is that you can usually cut off about 1/3 of the height of the plant at a time. Examples of plants pruned like this would are honeysuckle and arrow wood viburnums.
Remember, plants don’t necessarily need pruning. Before pruning, it is best to determine why you want to prune a plant and proceed with a purpose in mind.
The past four Gardener’s Forum columns have dealt with gardening tasks that can be frustrating: lawn care and pruning. I apologize. The next few columns will address topics that are much more fun! I will include information on local Garden House walks, ideas of beautiful gardens that you may want to visit, and information regarding new plants for 2013!
To end on a positive note, I came home on a recent Saturday afternoon and mentioned to my husband that I was having a very difficult time going into a particular subdivision and doing landscape consultations.
“It just depresses me. There are garbage cans all over, some of the houses are vacant, and the landscaping looks awful.” As only a husband can say to a wife, he says, “You are spoiled.”
“What do you mean, I am spoiled (i. e. I just worked 10 hours and you are treading on thin ice)?”
“Look at the communities that you primarily go into – they are gorgeous.” He is right. The subdivisions this newspaper serves are breathtakingly beautiful. Yes, there are very valid concerns about lawn care, pruning, and a variety of other issues, but the overall effect is that of beauty. As the saying goes, ‘May you take time to stop and smell the roses.”
