Pruning Question

by Gwen Manfrin

Gwen Manfrin poses the following question:

When is the best time to prune: peonies, hibiscus ,hydrangea, and evergreen dogwood? Please respond below or email gwenmanfrin@gmail.com

Joyce Nelson responded on 11/4/2020:

Hydrangeas: it helps to know if the plant blooms on old or new wood. Generally speaking, you should prune back by half. Almost anytime, when you are tired of seeing dead blossoms. If the plant blooms on new wood, you can cut anytime.

Peonies should be pruned in late fall. The new blossoms come from the tubers. I usually prune hard in late winter.

Hibiscus, prune lightly in late summer, but no pruning in late fall or winter. Wait until new growth begins to show in the spring. The branches can be cut back to leave at least 2 or 3 nodes.

I have never grown a Cornus capitata( evergreen dogwood) so you might Google that.

Joyce