Pruning Essentials: Shrubs, Woody Vines & Herbaceous Species

Instructor: Jim Calkins, landscape and production horticulturist and research information director at the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Proper and timely pruning is a fundamental horticultural practice essential to the health and performance of landscape plants including trees, shrubs, woody vines and even most herbaceous species.  Accordingly, understanding the basic principles of pruning is essential as incorrect pruning technique can cause long-term physiological and aesthetic damage (especially for trees) while proper pruning procedures will help promote long-term health, vigor and productivity.  Pruning is a practice that should always be taken seriously and planned carefully. 

In this class you will:

• Learn when and how to prune and train shrubs, woody vines and herbaceous plants that are already growing in your landscape.
• Discuss pruning requirements of other plants you might purchase or encounter in the future.
• Discover how to avoid common mistakes that are often made by novices and professionals alike.
• Learn the pruning needs of both deciduous and evergreen shrubs.
• Learn species-specific pruning timing, methods and requirements of specific cultivars.
• Visit the Arboretum collections for on-site demonstrations of proper pruning techniques (weather permitting).

Be sure to come dressed for the weather. We recommend wearing layers, as activities will include indoor classroom time and possible time outdoors.

Supplies/Equipment: Class fee includes all supplies.