I spent much of last Saturday cleaning up the front yard, making plans to hang Christmas lights in another week or two. I had someone stop and ask me about my cutting back the Purple Showers ruellia along the sidewalk. It has taken over about half the sidewalk. I explained that this plant can take shearing back most any time of year and that by cutting it now, it has time to regrow some and be nice for the holidays. Most all plants can be trimmed to shape right now. Roses and most winter hardy shrubs can take a harder prune but no more than a ¼ of the plants’ size. Plants that are sensitive to cold, like ixora, hibiscus and bougainvilleas should not be pruned hard. They need their foliage to help stay warm. Plus new growth that appears after trimming is more sensitive to cold damage. If you’re not sure to prune or not to prune, check with us…we are always here to help!
-Debbie
Liz says
Is it okay to prune Esperanza now?
james says
Liz, it’s not ideal, for the reason stated above, new growth stimulated by pruning is more sensitive to freeze damage. But if it is flopping out of the space you have allowed it, I would prune it anyway, and know if it is cold damaged, it will still regrow fine in spring.
Sue says
Should I prune my Bird of Paradise.
I have a lot of new growth coming out at the bottom while the top leaves are shriveled and brown on the edges. I have two Birds, one blooms the other one does not. Maybe not enough water or I pruned it last year too much?
james gill says
Old brown leaves and blooms should be removed regularly, or at the least in January before new growth begins. You could try a little RoseGlo fertilizer to get a few more blooms. But when it works, Don’t Overdo It! I learned that the hard way…