Seasons of The By Christine Such, Sun City Association Huntley
runing is often regarded as one of the most intimidating aspects of gardening, a daunting chore that many people avoid for fear of making an irreversible mistake. Yet, this practice is both an art and a science, a fundamental skill that determines a plant’s size, shape, and future health. Understanding the ‘why, how, and when’ of pruning is the first step to cultivating strong, healthy, and attractive plants; transforming a fearful task into a rewarding exercise in plant management. Before you start, ensure your tools are sharp and clean by rinsing them with a 10 percent solution of rubbing alcohol and water. It helps prevent the spread of disease as you prune..
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Pruning in the Spring or late winter, while trees and shrubs are still dormant, allows you to see their structure. For flowering plants, prune after spring-flowering shrubs have finished blooming to avoid removing buds and before summer-flowering shrubs begin to leaf out. Remove dead and diseased wood, avoiding healthy wood to prevent stress or reduced flowering.
40 | COMMON INTEREST®
Summer pruning focuses on new growth from fruit trees and other plants to manage size, improve air circulation, and encourage fruit production. This involves cutting back vigorous, new shoots to control growth and allow more light to reach the plant. The pruning helps ripen fruit and reduces the risk of disease. Summer pruning slows growth, while winter pruning stimulates new growth.
In the fall, prune dead or damaged branches, as well as herbaceous perennials such as daylilies and hostas, and some woody herbs like rosemary. It’s best to avoid heavy pruning of most trees and shrubs, as this can leave a plant vulnerable to disease, which can cause damage during winter. Pruning should be completed before the first hard frost to allow plants time to heal.
Winter pruning is ideal for most deciduous trees and shrubs because the lack of leaves allows for easier and more effective pruning. At the same time, the dormant state minimizes stress and allows wounds to heal quickly
• Spring 2026 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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