The concept of trimming is often an important one when it comes to maintaining your various plants and other greenery within a landscape, and shrubs are no exception. One key question that often arises here surrounds when to trim flowering shrubs to ensure optimal growth and lifespan.

At Aeroscape, we’re proud to not only offer a huge range of landscape design and installation services to clients around Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan and nearby areas, but also to provide various forms of landscape maintenance (including HOA maintenance services for those who require them). Here are some basics on why trimming flowering shrubs is important, plus when to trim flowering shrubs, including some where the ideal trimming period is fast approaching.

Why is Trimming Flowering Shrubs Important?

There are a few key reasons why trimming flowering shrubs is an important step in maintaining your landscape and promoting optimal growth for these plants. Some of the primary reasons include:

• Promotes Healthy Growth: Just like with grasses or trees, regular trimming helps keep flowering shrubs healthy and encourages new, stronger growth patterns.
• Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: Properly trimmed shrubs can add a lot to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape. They can help create clean lines and defined spaces, as well as showcase the beauty of the plant itself.
• Maintains Plant Shape: Without proper trimming, many shrubs will naturally grow in uneven or irregular shapes. Trimming allows you to control the shape and size of your shrubs, keeping them looking neat and uniform.
• Prevents Overgrowth: Flowering shrubs that are not regularly trimmed can become overgrown, potentially encroaching on other plants or structures in your landscape. Trimming helps prevent this issue and keeps your plants in check.

When to Trim Flowering Shrubs

So now that we understand some of the reasons why trimming flowering shrubs is important let’s talk about when to trim them. The proper timing for when to trim flowering shrubs comes down to when their typical bloom season is:

• Spring-blooming shrubs: For shrubs that bloom early in the spring season, it’s typically best to trim and prune them in the period after their flowers have withered and died. This will be in the fall for most shrubs, but may vary depending on your climate and the specific shrub in question.
• Summer- and fall-blooming shrubs: For shrubs that bloom a bit later in the season, it’s recommended to wait until the prior late winter or early spring period to trim them. This allows for any winter damage to be addressed and encourages new growth in time for their blooming season.

Tips for Proper Shrub Trimming

If you feel comfortable handling shrub trimming needs on your own, there are some basic tips to keep in mind for proper trimming techniques:

• Use Sharp Tools: Always make sure your trimmers or shears are sharp before getting started. Dull tools can cause uneven cuts and even damage the plant.
• Avoid Over-trimming: While it’s important to regularly trim shrubs, be careful not to overdo it. Avoid excessive shaping that removes too much of the plant at once.
• Follow Plant Growth Patterns: When trimming, follow the natural growth patterns of the shrub instead of forcing it into an unnatural shape. This will help maintain its overall health and longevity.
• Pinch Back Growth at Branch Tips: As you trim, make sure to pinch back any new growth at the branch tips. This will help promote denser foliage and a fuller look.
• Thinning Cuts to Interior Branches: When dealing with particularly dense shrubs, it can be helpful to make thinning cuts by removing branches from the interior of the plant. This allows for better air circulation and light penetration for healthier growth.

Professional Assistance

If you’re unsure about your ability to perform basic shrub trimming and pruning tasks, or even if you simply don’t have the time to handle them, professional assistance may be the best way to go. Our team at Aeroscape can provide regular trimming and maintenance services for your shrubs, ensuring they stay healthy and enhance the beauty of your landscape throughout the year. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of shrubs and can help make sure they receive the right care at the right times.

Contact us today to learn more about our landscape maintenance services or schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals. We look forward to helping you maintain a beautiful outdoor space, whether you’re in SLC, Draper, South Jordan, Sandy or any nearby area of Utah!