Tips For Restoring Old, Overgrown Shrubs Back To Health
From your lawn and trees to flowerbeds, hardscapes, and shrubs, landscape design consists of many elements. Many homeowners have some familiarity with maintaining their lawns, flowers, and trees, but caring for the different shrubs planted around the home can be a bit overwhelming. This guide will give you a few tips for restoring your old, overgrown shrubs back to a healthy and appealing state.
Timing Does Matter
If you are like most homeowners, you will see an issue and want to address it immediately. With landscaping, timing does matter, so you may need to wait and address any problems with your shrubs until the right time.
The late part of winter or early spring is best for a few reasons. Most shrubs are dormant during this time, meaning they are not growing or producing new growth. Focusing on the shrubs during this time will also ensure any wounds made during the pruning process will heal before new foliage starts to appear later in the spring season.
Prune Properly
The method in which you prune your shrubs will depend on the particular species.
Flowering shrubs, such as azaleas, roses, gardenias, and rhododendrons, must be pruned before their buds start to open, so do not wait too late into the spring season to start focusing on these shrubs.
No matter which type of shrub you are working on, make sure to use pruning shears with clean and sharp blades. Wipe off the blades with rubbing alcohol before getting started to prevent any fungus from spreading onto your shrubs. This is also important if any of your shrubs are infected by fungus or pests.
Do not trim an excess amount of foliage off your shrubs. In most cases, pruning off just an inch or so will be sufficient. Pay attention to the shape of your shrub when pruning, as well. You want your shrub to maintain a healthy and appealing shape.
Finish with Fertilizer
Spring is also a great time to fertilize your shrubs, so apply it after pruning for the best chance of promoting new growth throughout the spring season.
Opt for a slow-release fertilizer that contains equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, ensuring the shrub is strengthened from the roots, soil, and all throughout the plant.
There are many instances where your shrubs appear that they will not survive in the late part of winter and early spring, but these tips will help you update and enhance your old, overgrown plants. For more information, contact a landscaping maintenance service such as Charlottesville Lawn Care.
