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July is a crucial month for gardeners looking to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms in their flowering plants. Proper pruning during this time can rejuvenate plants, improve air circulation, and prepare them for a vibrant season ahead. Here are the top 10 flowering plants that benefit from July pruning.
1. Rose Bushes
Pruning roses in July encourages new growth and helps prevent disease. Remove dead or diseased canes, and cut back to shape the plant. This promotes stronger stems and more prolific flowering in the coming months.
2. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas benefit from light pruning after their first bloom. Cut back spent flower heads and any weak stems to improve air circulation and stimulate new growth for the next flowering cycle.
3. Lilacs
July pruning helps lilacs maintain a desirable shape and encourages healthy flowering in the following spring. Remove old, woody stems and thin out crowded branches to improve air flow.
4. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Pruning butterfly bushes in July encourages a second flush of flowers later in the season. Cut back the previous year’s growth by about one-third to promote new flowering stems.
5. Lavender
Light pruning after flowering helps lavender maintain a compact shape and prevents it from becoming woody. Remove spent flower stems and trim lightly to promote bushiness.
6. Wisteria
July is an ideal time to prune wisteria to control its growth and encourage flowering. Remove unwanted shoots and prune back long stems to shape the plant and promote flowering in spring.
7. Clematis
Clematis varieties benefit from pruning in July to encourage a second bloom. Cut back the stems to a pair of healthy buds, removing dead or weak growth.
8. Peony
While peonies require minimal pruning, removing faded foliage and dead stems in July can improve plant health and prepare it for next year’s blooms.
9. Azaleas
Light pruning after flowering in July helps azaleas maintain a tidy shape and encourages bushier growth. Remove spent flowers and thin out crowded branches.
10. Gardenias
Pruning gardenias after their flowering period promotes healthy growth and flowering for the next season. Remove dead or weak stems and shape the plant as needed.