Depending on where you live in Florida, pruning times may vary. The pruning season in North Florida is not the same as in South Florida. Pruning is essential to maintain plant health and growth. In this article, I will explain when to prune in Florida.
The pruning season for hibiscus in North Florida is not the same as in South Florida. It is important to consider that North Florida frosts can damage any plant if pruning is done incorrectly. Continue reading to find out when to prune in Florida.
When to Prune in Florida?
To know when to prune in Florida, the most important thing is to know what area of Florida you are living in. For example, if you live in South Florida, you can prune all year round, although it is not recommended.
In North Florida frost can last until February, even depending on the year you can have a frost at the beginning of March. Frosts can cause considerable damage to recently pruned plants. I recommend that you consult the frost calendar where you live.
On the other hand, people living in central Florida also have frosts that can damage plants and should check when the last spring frost is in their area. It is always recommended to avoid pruning any plant during the frosty season.
Pruning Plants and Trees in Florida
Pruning trees that shed their leaves in the cool season should be done when they are dormant, which is a good time to prune crape myrtles, chaste trees, and many deciduous fruit trees. Proper pruning in winter allows us to better understand the tree structure and to make beneficial pruning cuts. It is worth noting that not all trees need pruning annually, and certain trees like crape myrtle may not need pruning if they are planted in the right spot. However, many deciduous fruit trees require annual pruning to keep them at a manageable size for harvesting.
Evergreen trees and shrubs can be pruned at any time of the year as they do not go dormant. Cedar, Jupiner, Plum pine, and Holly are examples of evergreens that can be pruned. Light pruning is best for evergreens as heavy cuts can prevent the plant from growing back, making the cuts more noticeable.
It is recommended to prune spring-blooming plants after they have finished flowering. Azaleas, camellias, and spirea, which are common Southern shade garden plants, are examples of spring-blooming plants. While it is possible to prune them any time after flowering, it is best to do so before the 4th of July. These plants begin to form blooms for the next year between mid-summer and fall. If pruning is done too late in the year, it will result in no blooms the following spring.
For example, hibiscus and other warm-weather plants should not be pruned until the risk of frost has passed. Pruning hibiscus when there is frost is not good at all, it could damage the plant and affect growth.
Final Conclusions
This is not a complete guide to pruning plants, this is a guide to know when to prune in Florida and prevent your plants from suffering. For example to know more about pruning techniques I recommend you to read our article about how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida.
It is very important to always check when the last frost will be in the area of Florida where you live to make sure that the plant will not suffer after pruning. I hope this article about when to prune in Florida will be useful. I recommend you read our other articles about pruning different plants in Florida:
When To Cut Back Roses in Florida
When To Prune Azaleas in North Florida
