Question
We are moving into a new house on May 15.  Unfortunately, the previous owners have not maintained the landscaping and everything is overgrown.  I want to cut back and shape the shrubs/bushes but I'm not sure when is the best time to do that without causing damage.  Mainly there are azaleas and evergreens. (a few others I don't recognize)

I'd  appreciate any advice you may have.

thank you

Answer
If you cut back Azaleas in the fall then they won't bloom that next spring.  So right after they're done flowering is the time to trim those.  The other evergreens (depending on what they are) are most likely pretty hardy and can be trimmed either spring or fall.  However, Once you do a hard trim to get them to where you want, then you always want to only cut the new growth from year to year.  (The new growth will come in the spring and show as soft light green--much lighter in color than the rest of the foliage).  If you cut to far in (past all green) you risk some damage to the plant, but it mainly just takes a lot longer for it to come back and will look bad for a while.

Good luck!  Hope you are enjoying the new home.


Brandon Swisher
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