[geonagle]

Is now a good time to prune about two feet from my established glossy privet ( ligustrum lucidum) shrubs.

I'm a snowbird and would like to do this before I leave TV in May.

Thanks in advance.

[Serenoa]

Unless you really want a flat-top hedge look, I'd suggest pruning varying lengths so it will remain bushy & have a more natural look. But you can prune it about any time.

[784caroline]

Neighbor has a (young) ligustrum bush and was told to shape it after a couple of years. There are no woody legs per se...it has leaves all on it. Well the time has come and she asked me for some help.

Would you simply snip off the leaves on the lower part of the plant to give it the wood leggie look or..... or what??

[KGL Landscaping]

Hi everyone, here are a few tips that hopefully will help and put some of your pruning and/or trimming fears to rest. 784caroline, i see you are looking to uplift the ligustrum. Yes you can certainly clip off lower leaves but also, snip any smaller brances off and save the larger ones to give the tree a more even shape. The bottom should be somewhat level. The top should have a nice semi circle shape. Good luck. Any questions or for more tips we will be posting links for general care and maintenance frequently. 352-347-8307 Jeannie (designer and horticultural specialist).


Watering

1.Woody plants need watering less frequently than tender annuals or herbaceous plants
2.Most established trees, shrubs, and vines can go weeks without supplemental watering except in extremely hot or windy weather
3.Watering from a hose or sprinkler should be done slowly and deeply, not frequently, to avoid shallow root development or root diseases. Allow soil to dry several inches deep before irrigating
4.When practical, especially in arid climates, use and maintain water-efficient soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Water briefly two or three times a week to keep soil moist, not wet
5.Most winter injury is from drying out, not cold temperatures. Be prepared to water during prolonged sunny, windy, dry spells even in the winter.
6.Mulches help prevent water loss during hot, windy, or sunny weather



Pruning

1.Prune for size control and pedestrian safety, to remove dead or diseased plant parts, or to shape or train plants into hedges, topiary, espalier, or other interesting shapes
2.Broadleaf plants, both evergreen and deciduous, can be cut as hard as needed, even back to main trunks. New growth sprouts near the cut ends.
3.Prune in the late winter or spring, depending on when the plants flower
4.Cutting plants back to knobby growth ("pollarding"), though not always acceptable to neighbors, does not seriously harm plants in the long run.






Fertilization


Most plants need a regular "diet" of all-purpose plant food, either specialty (labeled for your specific plant type) or a generic N-P-K (nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium)

Fertilize early in the plant's growing cycle - spring for summer plants, fall for winter plants
For leafy plants, use a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content (first number)
For flowering or fruiting plants, use a fertilizer higher in phosphorous content (middle number)

If using a water soluble fertilizer:
1.Mix as directed on container according to directions
2.Wet the leaves and drench soil
3.Repeat

If using a granulated fertilizer:
1.Scatter a small amount of all-purpose fertilizer lightly under plants from the stem to beyond the outer spread of branches or foliage
2.Water slowly and deeply

NOTE: Never over fertilize! You will see lots of weak, leafy growth and few flowers

[billethkid]

we have a long row of logustrum plants .....12-14 feet high with raised bottoms. We were told by a farmer that raises them they can be pruned anytime. I prune ours 3-4 times per year and have been for 9 years.

They are almost indesrtuctable!!.

btk