Is It Too Late To Trim Schrubs (boxwood) That Are…
Nancy Asked
Is it too late to trim schrubs (boxwood) that are leafing out already?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Nancy: Boxwood shrubs are not too picky in terms of when they are pruned, but there are benefits to pruning at certain times of the year. Pruning in the spring while they are putting on new growth is fine but it will only encourage more growth. So, if you do prune now you may have to get your tools back out later in the season. You may be creating more work for yourself by cutting them back now; you can wait until later in the spring or early summer and by that time they will have finished flushing out for the season. The only time you want to avoid pruning these evergreens is during the late summer/fall. Prompting new growth at this time of the year will make the plant more susceptible to winter damage, since the tender growth may not have time to harden off before the cold temperatures arrive. As with any pruning job make sure your tools are clean and sharp. You can prune out dead, diseased, or broken branches anytime of the year.
