I planted a ninebark bush this year. It has a couple of shoots that are way above the rest of the bush. I was wondering if I should prune it back to the rest of the bush. Thanks for any help.
Pruning Ninebark
I pruned mine last month. I cut back the shoots that towered over the rest all the way to the main stem. Someone will come along and let you know if you could do it now or wait for Spring. With the temps as low as they are, I wouldn't try it here until then.
Quote from kwanjin :
Someone will come along and let you know if you could do it now or wait for Spring. With the temps as low as they are, I wouldn't try it here until then.
Kwanjin, you might find it interesting to know that we do most of our pruning in late winter here (which is northern zone 3)... Temperature is not much of a factor when the tree/shrub is dormant.
That is good news! I was told that pruning in the cold could kill a plant so I always do mine earlier or in Spring. I have others I need to prune.
Thanks for the info.
If I am pruning to reduce the size of a plant, late fall or winter is the time to do it. Resulting sprouts are killed by the cold. So good. That's what I want. If I am pruning to increase the density of a plant I prune in spring so the resulting sprouts are nourished and encouraged by the warming weather.
Zone differences.... in your climate, sprouts occur - it sounds as though there is no real dormancy. In cold climates, there is a real dormancy with no growth.
I should clarify-Fall pruning is when sprouts are likely to occur. It is still warm and plants are still actively growing. Sprouts at that time will still be tender and likely to be killed in the winter cold. That is the time of year I will consider pruning if I am trying to reduce size and/or do some shaping. Spring pruning encourages density since after bloom is when they are at their most vibrant and will produce lots of sprouts. This part I have no scientific evidence for, just my observations, fall pruning and subsequent death of sprouts seems to dampen spring sprouting at the points where the pruning was done. Dormant pruning is always safe.
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