Educating a client on selective pruning and understanding what this term means is crucial to every landscape project. Specifically with tropical plants such as bougainvilleas, ixoras and cocoplum, these plants can be damaged if pruned too much or if heavily trimmed as a hedge, which unfortunately is a common mistake made by maintenance teams. This is where a designer can really show their value by organizing a meeting with the client and maintenance company to confirm everyone is on the same page on how plants need to be cared for in a garden.
Pruning is important for many reasons. Firstly, it keeps you and your trees safe. I recently talked through fruit tree pruning with a client and the different techniques for growing healthy plants that produce healthy food, similar principles can be applied when discussing flowering trees and shrubs. We discussed crown reduction through selective pruning or thinning can lead to a myriad of benefits like better air circulation, more sunlight to ripen the fruit, and better access to the fruit when it's ready to be harvested. My client proceeded to prune her citrus tree and cut out any crossing branches.
I once worked with a client who was hesitant about pruning their mature maple tree, fearing it would harm or disfigure it. To educate them, I used visual aids to explain how proper pruning improves tree structure, promotes healthy growth, and reduces the risk of storm damage. We walked around the tree together, and I pointed out specific branches that needed removal due to disease or poor structure. I then demonstrated the correct pruning technique on a small branch, explaining how clean cuts promote faster healing. After seeing the immediate improvement in the tree's appearance and understanding the long-term benefits, the client enthusiastically approved the full pruning plan. A year later, they reported that the tree looked healthier than ever and had withstood several storms without damage, proving the value of proper pruning.
Landscape Designer - Fine Art Photographer - Writer - Keynote Speaker at Urban62 Marketing, LLC
Answered 2 years ago
More than once, clients have asked me these questions... How do I take care of roses? How do I prune roses? Are they high maintenance? I have found that the key to infusing confidence in my clients' ability to effectively garden...begins by listening with intention. I affirm their concerns and then proceed to give them simple tactics and strategies for gardening success. Roses are quite simple to maintain. They flourish using a three-step approach; proper pruning, debris cleanup & consistent feeding. Proper pruning happens in spring, summer & fall. Right after the last frost of winter is the best time to aggressively prune your roses. You want to create that "vase" look with your rose stems. You remove all dead wood, and crossing branches that may damage your vertical stems. Maintaining good air flow through the rose bush helps to prevent disease, especially Black Spot. If a branch or stem appears partially dead or diseased, prune it out. A proper way to do your cuts is right above a node on the branch. Some experts state that it does not matter how you do your cuts. I still choose to do mine on an angle, pointing outward. Trim away all the stems and branches that are less than the thickness of a pencil. Proper pruning is major part of rose health. Throughout the growing season, keep your trimming light. Deadheading...the process of removing old blossoms helps propagate more blooms. Keep dead or diseased leaves and branches trimmed out, as they rob the plant of nutrition. Be ware of your climate to watch for any signs of fungus or disease. Finally...in the fall, keep your trimming simple. Trim enough, just to prepare your roses for winter time weather. Prune the branches and stems so that they are not top-heavy and prone to breaking. Clean away any debris or dead leaves, allowing for good air movement. These simple tips and hacks will keep your roses growing healthy and looking their best. Every time I share these strategies with clients, they are so appreciative. Just keeping it simple for each client, instills the confidence they need to take ownership of their garden. That is always makes for a huge win!