In a previous blog post on pruning Hydrangea paniculata, we mentioned that if a deciduous shrub has been sheared or otherwise pruned inappropriately for many years it can become an eyesore that does not bloom well. We briefly alluded to the topic of rejuvenation pruning as a solution to this problem, and that is what we are going to discuss today.
Done properly, rejuvenation pruning will make your deciduous shrub look like an new shrub when it regrows. So before you pay to replace the shrub, try giving it a rejuvenation pruning. Though this method of pruning is a simple process there are some important things we need to discuss before you give it a try.
Why should I rejuvenation prune?
You should consider rejuvenation pruning any healthy shrub that has been improperly pruned, looks overgrown or has overgrown its available space. Additional good candidates are shrubs that have developed an ugly shape, bare sections, are overly thick from being sheared or are full of dead branches. Some deciduous shrubs that have stopped flowering well should also be considered, though the lack of flowering is likely due to one of the previously listed reasons.
Basically, if you have a deciduous shrub that is not providing the visual appeal you want, rejuvenation prune it. It is worth trying this before you dig out and replace the shrub. You might be surprised at how nice that hideous weigelia or ninebark looks the following year.
After rejuvenation pruning you are essentially starting over with a new young shrub. You will benefit from a smaller, more compact shrub that will flower more profusely and grow in a nice uniform round shape. On shrubs valued for their colored bark such as dogwoods and basket willow, you will be rewarded with a flush of new brightly colored growth. If you rejuvenation pruned chronically sheared shrubs, your ‘new’ shrub will be much easier to thin and maintain properly after rejuvenation.
What shrubs can I rejuvenation prune?
Plants that respond well to rejuvenation pruning are mainly deciduous ones that produce lots of vigorous new growth every year. They are also the ones that send out lots of new branches from near their base or that sucker from the ground. To give you an idea of the kinds of plants we are talking about imagine ones that are similar to things like lilacs, hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, deutzia, red-twig dogwoods and rose bushes.
The reason that deciduous shrubs respond best to this kind of pruning is because they go dormant in the winter. During the winter they take all their nutrients and store them down in their roots. If you remove top growth before they start growing in the spring, they have all the stored energy available to produce new top growth to replace what you removed.
While we do not have space to create an exhaustive list in this article, at the end of the article is a list of many of the more common shrubs that respond well to rejuvenation pruning. If your shrub is not on the list and you are unsure if it is a good candidate, a quick internet search should tell you.
Before you get out your loppers and go crazy chopping up shrubs
It is important to understand that not all shrubs should be rejuvenation pruned. The vast majority of deciduous shrubs will respond well to rejuvenation pruning. There are also a few evergreens that can also benefit. However, many evergreen shrubs will be killed by being trimmed this way.
As a general rule there are a few different groups of plants that you should avoid rejuvenation pruning.
- Most evergreen shrubs. This includes anything with needles, little leaf hollies, boxwoods, and other similar shrubs. You will likely kill these kinds of plants by removing all their leaves.
- Sick or otherwise unhealthy plants. Even deciduous plants that would normally respond well to rejuvenation pruning can be killed by it if they are unhealthy to start with. Either get them healthy first, or consider replacing the shrub rather than rejuvenating it.
- Shrubs with a single main stem (like small trees). With those you need to prune a little differently, and should not trim back as far. You need to leave the main stem and a cluster of branches on top of it.
- Grafted plants. With grafted plants, you need to make sure that if you do not cut back to below the graft or you will get rootstock regrowth rather than the desired variety. Most ornamental shrubs are not grafted, however this can be an issue with plants like hybrid roses.
Timing is important!
If you are considering rejuvenation pruning a shrub, it is very important to do so at the right time. Rejuvenation pruning needs to be done in the winter or early spring while the shrub is still completely dormant. If it is done during the growing season, it may kill your shrub.
It is important to keep in mind that you should only rejuvenation prune periodically. While deciduous shrubs respond well to being pruned severely, doing so too frequently may weaken and kill the shrub over time. For most plants, it is best to rejuvenation prune only every 3-5 years. Between these years, you can thin the shrub by removing 1/3 of the oldest and largest branches each year. This yearly thinning will help to keep your plant young and small, and may completely eliminate the need to rejuvenate a shrub.
Lastly, depending on whether a particular plant blooms on new wood or old wood, you may sacrifice a year of flowering. Plants such as azaleas that bloom on old wood will not flower the year you rejuvenate them. They will however put on a spectacular display the following season.
How to rejuvenation prune
Rejuvenation pruning is a very severe pruning tactic used mainly on deciduous shrubs. The ‘How To’ of rejuvenation pruning is actually ridiculously easy. To rejuvenation prune, you simply cut the whole shrub down to stubs that are between 6” and a couple feet tall. Leave long enough stubs to allow the plant to re-sprout new branches. Thin out any old or unhealthy shoots as you are doing this. That’s it.
When you have finished pruning, it may look like you have completely butchered your shrub, and like it is probably dead. It can be really scary to do the first time! However, when done to a suitable, healthy shrub, you will be rewarded in the spring by vigorous, healthy new growth.
List of some common plants suitable for rejuvenation pruning
- Abelia
- Azalea
- Barberry
- Beautyberry
- Burning Bush
- Spirea
- Chasetree
- Cinquefoil
- Deutzia
- Elderberry
- Flowering Quince
- Forsythia
- Honeysuckle
- Hydrangea
- Lilac
- Mockorange
- Nandina
- Ninebark
- Privet
- Shrub Roses
- Rose of Sharon
- Dogwood Shrubs
- Viburnum
- Weigela
- Willow
Evergreen shrubs that can be rejuvenated
- Azalea
- Camellia
- Cherry Laurel
- Holly (large leaf varieties like Nellie Stevens, NOT little leaf varieties)
We hope this has inspired you to rejuvenation prune some of the less visually appealing shrubs in your yard this winter!
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