More and more gardeners are reducing the frequency of mowing their lawn to preserve diversity, especially in May. However, other plants also deserve a little respite in spring! Also, even if the return of good weather is conducive to gardening work, be careful not to be overzealous with your pruning shears… Indeed, pruning is sometimes indicated for certain trees and shrubs at this time. However, not all plants are in the same boat and some could wither if you are not careful. Here are 4 plants that should not be pruned in spring.
1) Le sweat
Poets’ jasmine requires all the delicacy and attention that its pretty name suggests. This involves waiting until flowering is finished before pruning (forsythia is in the same boat). It is in fact a late spring flowering shrub and it is not recommended to cut stems which have not yet flowered. On the other hand, it will be to prune as soon as it has defloweredbecause it is on these branches that the future buds will appear for the flowers which will be born in May and June next year.
2) Hedges
The law prohibits farmers from trimming hedges from March 15 to July 31 and recommends that individuals not trim hedges or prune trees from March 15 to July 31. In fact, from mid-March, the nesting season begins for birds. Also, pruning risks destroying a brood and disturbing these animals during a significant period of their life cycle. It is therefore not for the plants strictly speaking that pruning in spring is not recommended, but rather to protect the local fauna.
3) Lilacs
If you prune too early, you risk spending a year without flowers. It is therefore essential to wait until the end of floweringwhen the flowers turn brown, to get down to it. Then remove the faded flowers, shorten the invasive or dead branches which unbalance your shrub and remove the suckers at the base of the lilac which weaken it. Ventilating the center of the shrub will allow air and light to circulate there. This will allow it to make new shoots during the summer and obtain beautiful flowers for next spring, even if you have not successfully pruned.
4) Japanese maple
This tree already has a very slow growth that can be easily ruined by improper pruning, especially if done at the wrong time. In general, it is not recommended to prune your maple tree which really does not need it unless it is an old tree. What is certain is that if you really want to prune it, you will have to avoid doing it in spring when it will need all its energy. Therefore, prefer to prune during winter or at the end of autumn, outside of periods of frost. There period from November to March must be strictly respected for the size of a maple that we wish to keep in good health!