Yes, it does happen: Good shrubs go bad, becoming overgrown and unruly. Maybe a shrub’s grown so high it’s starting to cover some windows along the house. Or maybe it’s grown so wide, it overreaches sidewalks and grabs at passersby. What’s a home gardener to do? Well, don’t give up on that plant just yet. Rejuvenate it – with the right pruning technique.
When planted too closely, shrubs will grow together. Restore their individuality by rejuvenating them.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
With pruning, each shrub has a distinct outline. All extra branches have been cut, and the perimeter outline of the shrubs allows air to circulate to all parts of the plants – allowing them to be healthier.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
There are two approaches to rejuvenation pruning: You can cut the overgrown shrub back in one fell swoop, or spread the pruning out over several seasons. If you chose the all-at-once approach, cut all the branches back to 6-12 inches above ground level at the beginning of the growing season. The shrub will typically grow a fair amount in the first year after pruning. By the third or fourth year after the pruning, it’ll be of a fair size and have a lovely, compact shape. From this point on, you can prune it lightly as needed with a combination of heading cuts and thinning cuts to maintain its height and shape. (Of course, not all shrubs respond well to such aggressive pruning, so do make sure your species can handle it before your shears meet the wood.)
The more gradual approach to rejuvenation pruning involves cutting 1/3 of the stems to within 6-12 inches of the ground at the beginning of each growing season for three years. By the end of this time, all the old wood will be removed and only healthy new growth will remain.
Most deciduous and broad-leaved evergreen shrubs respond well to rejuvenation pruning. That said, do take note: You should avoid rejuvenation pruning of boxwoods, junipers and most narrow-leaved evergreens. Instead, consider shaping them into a tree when they become overgrown. This reveals the shrub’s sculptural qualities while giving it a neater look and creating space beneath for planting groundcovers, flowers or bulbs.
Another option is to give your shrub a multistemmed, treelike appearance. Just select three or four of the sturdiest limbs to remain as the “tree trunk.” Keep these limbs intact while removing all the other low-growing branches. Hawthorns, hollies, serviceberries and wax myrtles are particularly attractive when pruned this way.
If you’d like a little more step-by-step guidance in rejuvenation pruning, gather your gloves, hand shears and lopping shears, then follow the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions. With a little work and a dose of patience, those once unruly shrubs can look young and beautiful once again.
Rejuvenation Pruning Shrubs - Step 1
To give your overgrown shrub new life, start by pruning off all dead wood and broken branches. Also remove any wood showing signs of pest damage or disease, such as fungus, borer holes or dripping sap. (Be sure to clean your tools between cuts to prevent the spread of disease, and dispose of all diseased branches in the garbage.)
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Rejuvenation Pruning Shrubs - Step 2
Remove branches and laterals that cross the centerline of the shrub. Also trim off suckers and any sprouts from the main trunk.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Rejuvenation Pruning Shrubs - Step 3
Note the basic outline of the shrub, trimming back all branches that extend more than 4 inches past its preferred profile.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Rejuvenation Pruning Shrubs - Step 4
If foliage at the shrub’s center is stunted or yellow, reduce the number of branches to allow light to reach to the middle of the plant, making cuts at the trunk or stem.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Rejuvenation Pruning Shrubs - Step 5
Finally, open the shrub’s interior to let light throughout the canopy by reducing the number of lateral branches. Then step back and enjoy your “new” shrub.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
