As the gardening season comes to a close, December becomes a pivotal month for plant care.
This period offers a rare chance to perform targeted pruning, which can significantly enhance the beauty of your garden through the winter months.
While many gardening tasks may slow down, attending to specific plants is crucial for ensuring their health as the cold weather sets in.
Pruning now not only prepares your landscape for winter’s chill but also sets the stage for vibrant spring growth.
Here’s a rundown of plant species that gardening professionals recommend for a winter trim.
Key Plants for December Pruning
- Apple Trees
Once autumn’s harvest wraps up, apple trees (Malus pumila) need a winter prune to set them up for the next growing season.
Gardening expert Manny Barra suggests that, being dormant, this is the perfect time to remove any dead or crossing branches.
- Roses
During winter, roses (Rosa) also enter a dormant phase, making it a critical time for pruning.
Barra advises cutting back any unruly canes and trimming away dead or diseased sections to ensure these beloved plants thrive.
- Hydrangeas
When it comes to hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.), winter pruning can do wonders.
However, knowing which variety you have is key to timing your cuts correctly to maximize their health.
- Pear Trees
Like their apple counterparts, pear trees (Psidium guajava) benefit from winter pruning.
Julia Omelchenko, a botany expert, points out that the dormancy period from late fall to early spring is less stressful, making it an ideal time to prune.
- Willow Trees
If you have fast-growing willow trees (Salix), December is the month for a trim.
Omelchenko emphasizes that pruning during this time helps shape the trees and keeps their growth under control.
- Grapevines
For growers in areas with milder winters, early winter is a prime time for pruning grapevines (Vitis vinifera).
Omelchenko notes that timely cuts not only help manage the size of the vines but also spur robust growth and improve fruit yield.
Additional Plants to Prune
- Wisteria
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) requires pruning twice a year to maintain its gorgeous blooms.
This careful attention ensures these fragrant climbers flourish throughout all seasons.
- Oak Trees
Pruning oak trees (Quercus) in winter is also beneficial.
Omelchenko highlights that this practice can reduce the risk of oak wilt, a disease linked to the Bretziella fagacearum fungus.
- Purple Coneflowers As winter settles in, purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) enter a dormant state, losing the visible portions of the plant while their roots remain belowground.
- American Elderberry
Lastly, the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) can handle significant pruning during the winter.
This dormancy makes it an ideal time to cut back its foliage, allowing you to reshape and rejuvenate the shrub.
By tending to these plants in December, you’ll lay a healthier foundation for your garden, ensuring it bursts back to life come spring.
Happy gardening!
Source: Marthastewart