"results/hydrangea-tara/P6480" - Southern Living Plants

‘Semmes Beauty’ Oakleaf Hydrangea

In summer, lacy white flower clusters rise above foliage shaped like oak leaves. Blooms fade to soft pink with age, and the leaves bronze in fall. Plant as a colorful screen or beautiful garden accent.

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Late Winter Pruning (January-February)

The bulk of shrub pruning occurs in late winter when plants are dormant, just before new growth begins to emerge. This is also a good time to clean up beds by cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials. Pay close attention to fruiting shrubs to encourage high yields.

Evergreens

Prune most broadleaf evergreens now: abelia, boxwood, cleyera, elaeagnus, nandina, privet, and holly. Wait until after flowering for spring bloomers.
Viburnums (both evergreen and deciduous) can be cut back hard to reduce size, but you will sacrifice flowers for the season. Wait until after flowering for light pruning.
Needled evergreens including arborvitae, juniper, and yews can be shaped in late winter. Take care not to cut back into old wood. Wait until March to prune pittosporum. Conifers (cone-bearing evergreens) are pruned in June.

Deciduous Shrubs

Many ornamental shrubs bloom on new growth that emerges in spring. These are pruned in late winter: beautyberry, butterfly bush, clethra, crapemyrtle, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), roses, and rose of Sharon.
Shape barberry, dogwood, and deciduous holly as needed.
Wisteria: prune shoots down to three to five buds to encourage better blooming.

Hedges

Formal hedges often require both a winter and mid-summer shaping, including plants like abelia, arborvitae, boxwood, euonymus, holly, juniper, and privet.

Fruits

Blueberry: Reduce the number of stems, leaving only three each of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year canes.
Blackberry: Reduce the number of canes/stems per plant, leaving the strongest. Trim the side (lateral) branches of remaining canes to 12-15 inches for larger fruits.
Figs: Remove any dead, damaged, or weak branches to encourage growth.