Shrub Trimming

Trimming

Trimming is what most people think of when they need to maintain their shrubs or plants. It involves more significant cuts and is immediately noticeable to both homeowners and neighbors.

In short, trimming is:

• When a landscape expert makes thick, angled cuts of a shrub’s branches
• Performed with shears or other heavy-duty landscape equipment
• More immediately noticeable due to the extent of the cuts
• A way to allow a shrub’s leaves to grow back thicker and healthier over time
• Can make overgrown shrubs more visually appealing

Many people assume trimming and pruning shrubs are the same thing. While both involve cutting down the branches of a shrub, they focus on different aspects of healthy shrub growth.

Pruning involves a less noticeable aspect of proper shrub growth, removing dead or decaying branches. While not as apparent as trimming, pruning can make a big difference in a plant’s health.

In short, pruning is:

• When a landscaping expert makes precise, angled cuts of dead or unhealthy branches
• Can be performed with pruning shears and other small lawn equipment
• Not as immediately noticeable as trimming
• A way to prevent lifeless or dying branches from taking away from the overall health of a shrub
• Helps rejuvenate dead or dying shrubs and plants

Why Trim Shrubs?

Shrub trimming has puzzled many Florida homeowners for decades. It seems counterproductive to tear down a seemingly healthy shrub during the height of spring. 

In reality, many homeowners may not realize that their shrubs are overgrown and potentially even unhealthy. Fully growing out shrubs might seem like a healthy way to stimulate plant growth, but it has the opposite effect on most plants. 

Plants that grow unevenly may face some growing pains if left unattended. Leaving plants to grow unattended could cause some leaves to get left in the dark, leading to the plant not getting enough sunlight or water. 

Additionally, leaving shrubs to grow on their own can make a yard or garden look overgrown and untamed. If a neighborhood has strict homeowner’s association rules, failing to trim or prune shrubs could be a potential violation. 

Why Prune Shrubs?

Pruning shrubs might not seem like a big priority to homeowners. After all, with trimming and watering at the forefront of most peoples’ minds, pruning doesn’t seem like too big of an issue. 

Many people don’t realize just how helpful pruning a shrub can be to the plant’s overall health. Pruning can allow the plant to grow healthy and strong, preventing dead leaves from harming the rest of the plant. 

Pruning enables healthy branches to grow in place of dead ones, leading to a healthier-looking plant over time. It might not look like it, but dead branches can steal precious sunlight from growing ones. Properly tending to shrubs can ensure that all limbs get equal sunlight and nutrients.

Best Times to Prune Shrubs

In Florida, there are plenty of good times to trim or prune shrubs. With plenty of sunshine throughout the year, shrubs can grow healthy and robust at virtually any time. 

These pleasant conditions might convince a homeowner that any time is good for trimming shrubs. There is a bit of a science to pruning and trimming at a good time. The professionals here at Anthony’s Lawn and Landscape can help determine the best times to trim or prune shrubs. Perfectly timing any pruning or trimming allows a shrub to grow fuller and greener. After the branches have grown back, they will have a healthier, fuller appearance than they did before the trim. 

At Anthony’s Lawn and Landscape, we recommend the following times to schedule a pruning or trimming service:

• Summer Shrubs: Late February or Early March
• Non-Flowering Shrubs: March or April
• Early Blooming Shrubs: Early March

Of course, yard and garden needs may cause these recommendations to vary. If you feel that your yard is in desperate need of a trim, we’d be happy to offer our services at any time of the year. 

Contact Anthony’s Lawn and Landscape 

Fast, friendly, and professional, Anthony’s Lawn and Landscape has served Brevard County and the Space Coast area for years. Our knowledgeable team of landscaping experts is ready to give your shrubs the look you want. 

We would love to use our trimming and pruning expertise to give your yard curb appeal. If you’re interested in trimming, pruning, or any other services, call us at (321) 216-1176 or fill out our contact form. We would be happy to help you with all of your landscaping needs!