Timing on this herb may slide into July. To avoid removing the buds that will flower the following year, prune these early-flowering shrubs as soon as flowers fade, which may be in early summer. That’s especially handy if the branch work is overcrowded and needs thinning, as you can easily spot any dead, diseased and rubbing branches and remove them. In the June issue, we launch a new pruning series that will roll out over 12 months, highlighting popular plants that need to be pruned through the different seasons, as well as where to make the right cuts. Take the fear out of pruning by reviewing what you should be pruning in early summer. To prune or not to prune? Prune shrubs that flower before mid-June after they flower. Ramblers include: Rosa filipes Rosa Keep the height of tall summer-flowering perennials in scale with other plantings by removing up to one-third of stem height by mid- to late June. Best Time to Prune a Dogwood Tree. It shouldn’t set flowers this early, but sometimes it tries. Hardy in Zones 3-7. Fall perennials to prune in early summer: asters, Russian sage, garden mums, helenium, turtlehead (Chelone), boltonia, tall sedums and monkshood (Aconitum). Use hand pruners or loppers for this job, not hedge shears. Hardy in Zones 5-9. Spruce up your outdoor space with products handpicked by HGTV editors. Get our best gardening advice and outdoor ideas delivered straight to your inbox. It’s best to prune them in December and June or July. This month we look at roses, wisteria and grapevines. This beauty offers blooms in a host of hues, including brilliant purple, pale lavender, pink and ruby. It’s best to prune them in December and June or July. A striking heirloom lilac, ‘Madame Lemoine’ was bred near Nancy, France, by the famous lilac breeder Lemoine. Prune any other stems to shorten or shape the shrub. Fruit Tree Pruning Guide Apples (including crabapples), peaches, pears, plums, and cherries should be pruned in midwinter. Prune deciduous magnolias once the plant is in full leaf. During your winter pruning of wisteria, prune all of the side-shoots back to the third or fourth bud. Insects and oozing sap. Clip evergreen hedges such as privet (Ligustrum), box (Buxus - left) and Lonicera nitida if needed. Also, if you need to cut out a lot of material, there will be minimal stress on the plant because it is not actively growing. Welcome fall with the beautiful blooms of an autumn classic: New England aster. What to Prune in Winter If you’re just looking for a simple, quick formula, this is it: The trees and shrubs we prune in late winter—if they need it—are deciduous plants that drop their leaves in fall, and, specifically, those that do not flower in early spring.. Use hand pruners or loppers for this job, not hedge shears. The wrong way to prune your grapes in summer. Horticulture agent Paul McKenzie advises against reckless pruning. There are a number of good reasons to prune deciduous trees and shrubs in winter. Strongly fragrant double white blooms grace this lilac in late spring to early summer. We also give you advice on what to look for when choosing a new pair of secateurs. While winter is the best time for it, don’t prune all your deciduous plants just for the sake of it. This pruning method helps to control plant height and size. If you choose to pinch your mums, below are some helpful tips. Perennials to prune in early summer: joe-pye weed (Eutrochium), tall coneflower (Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne’), bee balm (Monarda), catmint (Nepeta), yarrow (Achillea), balloon flower (Platycodon), Culver’s root (Veronicastrum), Veronica and garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). For staking and June or July won ’ t overlook your edible crops while you have good to! Just below the lowest flower look at roses, wisteria and grapevines any other stems shorten! 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