A well-rounded landscape often includes a variety of shrubs alongside tall trees, vibrant perennials, and ornamental grasses. These mid-height plants not only add aesthetic value but also provide shade, soil stability, privacy, and an extra layer of color and texture.

Shrubs, whether evergreen or deciduous, serve multiple purposes, from flanking entryways to anchoring landscape beds or hiding unsightly areas. However, like all landscape plants, shrubs require proper maintenance, including regular trimming.

As shrubs grow, some varieties can become overgrown and unruly without appropriate pruning. This often raises questions, especially during warmer months: Can shrubs be trimmed in summer? When is the right time to prune shrubs? Is it ever too hot to trim shrubs?

Understanding Shrub Trimming Timing

Knowing your shrub’s growth habits and bloom times is crucial for determining the best pruning schedule. Trimming at the wrong time can harm the shrub's health, making it more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Pruning Guidelines for Specific Shrubs:

• Forsythia: Best pruned immediately after flowering.
• Weigela: Light pruning in early spring and after blooming if needed.
• Potentilla: Ideal to prune from March to early April.
• Summer-flowering deciduous shrubs: Prune from March to early April.
• Non-flowering deciduous shrubs: Prune from February to March.

When to Trim Spring Flowering Shrubs

Spring-flowering shrubs generally should be pruned after their bloom period. This approach allows you to enjoy their flowers and gives the shrubs time to set new buds for the next spring. These plants typically flower on old wood. Examples include lilac, azalea, wisteria, ninebark, viburnum, and forsythia.

When to Trim Summer Flowering Shrubs

Summer-flowering shrubs are best trimmed in late winter, before new growth begins. These shrubs bloom on new wood, meaning they set buds on the current season's growth. Examples include butterfly bushes, hibiscus, spirea, and certain hydrangea species.

While summer trimming is possible, avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs that have already set buds for the next season, as this can reduce flowering in the following year. Instead, prune them right after they finish blooming. Similarly, avoid trimming summer-flowering shrubs before they bloom; wait until after they have flowered.

Pruning Non-Flowering Shrubs

Non-flowering shrubs can be pruned at any time during the summer to shape them or control their size. However, keep in mind that regrowth will be slower during hot, dry, and stressful conditions.

When pruning, focus on removing old flowers and cutting back to healthy, outward-facing buds. Also, trim away any damaged or diseased branches, old wood, or scraggly growth. Thinning stems and branches can help reduce congestion and improve the overall balance of the shrub.

For more detailed information on timing between pruning sessions, you can refer to expert guides and blogs dedicated to shrub care.