I'm far from a horticulturist (so I have Q's)

[vencops]

Can someone point me towards an online (or printed material) source that explains when individual plants are best pruned (time of year/stage of growth/amount to prune)?

Thanks.

[White Gardens]

I would first check you local extension office and see what they have to offer.

North Carolina Extension (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/)

I took the Master Gardner's course through the U of I extension and that was a great decision for me.

[vencops]

White Gardens....

THANK YOU for that link. That is an incredible source.

[Dr.NewEarth]

The basic rule of thumb is to prune after the plant blooms. This is so that new buds can form for the next year.

I don't prune in the rain or when it is windy as disease can blow in from who knows where.

For most shrubs, I would wager it is safe to prune whenever you need to.


As you already have a plant refernce, For tree pruning info go to ISA or Dr. Alex Shigo

[jeffslawnservice]

Shigo has a few good books that I read for one of my landscape classes last semester, so I would definitly look into him.

[Dr.NewEarth]

Shigo has a few good books that I read for one of my landscape classes last semester, so I would definitly look into him.

One of the Landscape Association members that I studied arboriculture with
told me he called the Shigo Institute to ask a question and Alex Shigo actually got on the phone and talked to him. Wow!
Rock Star Status of Tree studies.

Unfortunately the man has now passed away.