Between now and mid-February Texas gardeners should begin winter pruning. Neal Sperry offers this list of plants that should be pruned during this time of year.
- Shade trees: remove damaged or dead branches (pruning sealant only on oak cuts). All cuts should be flush with the branch collar on the trunk.
- Evergreen shrubs: prune to maintain natural growth form of your evergreen shrubs.
- Peach and plum trees: prune to remove the vertical growth and keep plants low and from spreading.
- Grapes: for those that grow grapes, remove as much as 80 to 85 percent of cane growth.
- Summer-flowering shrubs and vines: prune damaged or excessive branches. Do not top your crape myrtle plants.
- Prune dead stems and leaves from perennials to tidy up your garden beds.
- Prune freeze-damaged stems from plants hurt by December cold. (Could include gardenias, oleanders, bottlebrush, pittosporum, depending on where you live in Texas.)
Spend the time now to prune and care for your trees and plants. Winter pruning will pay off in the spring. Looking for garden supplies? Come visit our store and explore our gardening products!