Rejuvenation Pruning for Shrubs
Urban Compromise is a type of shrub pruning that has been developed and fine-tuned by The BIG Oak over 27 years of experimenting and adjusting all parameters of shrub pruning. Its baseline definition would be “a combination of natural and formal shrub pruning to maintain or improve the health, flowering, fall color and appearance of shrubs within the limited growing space of urban landscapes at the proper time using good decisions”. Because many shrubs in urban properties cannot grow to their genetic size, we must make some adjustments through “Urban Compromise” shrub pruning.
These juniper shrubs were actually sheared into a box hedge and then let go for 2 months. The regrowth (which is desired) returned the junipers to a more natural look. They are not super wild and are contained within the bed.
Rejuvenation Pruning for Shrubs
Rejuvenation shrub pruning is basically the term for cutting shrubs to ground level (or very low) in hopes of “rejuvenating” entirely new shrub growth. Similar to perennials like daylily, hosta and ornamental grasses, many shrubs can be cut to the ground in early spring and new growth follows. Rejuvenation is a crucial (and mandatory) part of Urban Compromise shrub pruning and should be a part of most landscape maintenance plans.
Benefits of Rejuvenation Pruning
All tissue is removed at once including dead limbs, diseased tissue, broken limbs and weaker limbs
Following rejuvenation, the shrub will be at its healthiest point following the first year of re-growth
Can renew a shrub that has been sheared year after year. Instead of shearing the new growth of these shrubs twice per year, cut them to the ground every 3 years, essentially starting them over.
Can be used to manage overall height and shrub size
Rejuvenation pruning is an acceptable shrub technique according to industry standards, while consistently shearing the top growth of shrubs is NOT a technical shrub pruning tactic.
Timing for Rejuvenation Pruning
Rejuvenation pruning must be done while shrubs are dormant so it can be done in late fall (early November) or early spring (later March / early April).
Note from The BIG Oak = In Minnesota, I would lean towards early spring to avoid potential issues with winter. On occasion, I have seen dieback on shrubs that were cut down in late fall because we recieved no snow to act as a blanket of protection. I would generally do the majority of shrub rejuvenation during the same time frame as cutting back hydrangea shrubs.
How Often Should Rejuvenation Pruning Be Done?
In general, rejuvenation will be done every 3-4 years depending on shrub type, health and location. Generally, shrub rejuvenation will NOT be done for the following:
Newly planted shrubs (first several years)
Dead or heavily dying shrubs (cannot bring them back to life)
Evergreens
Shrubs that provide important privacy
The following 3 pictured shrubs were all cut to ground in late March;
Picture 1 shows regrowth 2 months following rejuvenation of a lilac hedge.
Picture 2 shows regrowth 1 year following rejuvenation of a Tor spirea.
Picture 3 show regrowth of honeysuckle shrubs the following year.
