Mountain laurels are beautiful and popular shrubs that can add an elegant charm to any garden or landscape. In addition to their beauty, they also have a number of benefits including being low maintenance and having year-round appeal.
However, like most plants, mountain laurels require pruning in order to maintain their shape and health. Pruning is important because it not only keeps the plant looking attractive but also improves its overall vigor by promoting new growth.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to prune a mountain laurel properly.
When should you prune a mountain laurel?
The best time to prune your mountain laurel depends on whether you want to perform heavy pruning or just minor trimming. Heavy pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. This is because the plant’s energy reserves are still high during this period and it will have enough time to grow back after pruning.
On the other hand, light trimming can be performed throughout the year as needed without harming the plant’s overall health.
Tools required for pruning
Before starting with pruning your Mountain Laurel, ensure you have all necessary tools which includes:
– A pair of sharp pruners
– Loppers (for thicker branches)
– Gloves
– Safety glasses
How much should you remove?
Mountain Laurels do not require frequent or heavy pruning as it grows slowly compared with other flowering shrubs. It’s essential not reduce more than ¼ of foliage while cutting Mountain Laurel branches as over-pruning may result in long-term damage to these plants.
Step-by-step guide for proper Mountain Laurel Pruning:
1) Start by removing any deadwood from around the base of your Mountain Laurel either through lopping off thick stems or shearing thinner ones close where they’re attached.
2) Remove any crisscrossing branches that rub against each other so that there are no areas prone towards disease development later on.
3) Cut back twiggy growth, especially those located near the center of the plant for opening up space and light.
4) Cut back any damaged or diseased branches from your Mountain Laurel using a sharp pruner. This will help in promoting healthy growth.
5) Finally, remove any unwanted stems that disrupt its natural shape.
Conclusion
Pruning is essential to keep Mountain Laurels healthy, attractive and maintain their overall vigor. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your laurel remains healthy and vibrant all year round. However, if you are not confident about pruning on your own always seek professional assistance to avoid causing irreversible damage to this lovely shrub!
