Tips for Pruning Spring Blooming Shrubs

Like many spring-blooming shrubs, lilacs bloom on old wood, which means they set next year's flower buds shortly after they finish blooming this year. If you wait too long to prune them, you will remove many of next year's blooms. As a rule, plan to prune within two weeks after the shrub stops blooming. Other shrubs that fall into this category include forsythia, ninebark, spring-blooming spirea, and viburnums. Proper care for these spring flowering shrubs includes deadheading, pruning out old, diseased wood and in some severe cases, rejuvenation pruning.  

Deadheading involves removing the spent blossoms from this year's bloom. 

In the case of lilacs, the old flower cluster should be cut off at its base, just above the two fresh shoots that emerge from the same branch as the faded flowers. While you’re at it, remove any old seed pods. New shoots will grow over the summer, set flower buds and be topped off with a flower cluster the following spring.

Prune forsythia back to a healthy pair of outward facing leaf buds. Prune ninebark about one-quarter inch below the spent bloom. Prune spirea back to just above the topmost leaf.  

 

 

This is also the time to get rid of dead, damaged or diseased canes, as well as any branches that cross one another.  

If indeed, your lilac has seen better days, rejuvenation pruning may be in order. One way to renew a large, overgrown shrub is to remove one third of the canes every year over a three-year period.  A more drastic approach involves cutting every cane back to 4”- 6” above the ground. This will result in many vigorous canes the following season, but it may only produce leaves the first two years.  If your lilac bush is of the grafted variety, be sure and cut above the graft. These care instructions are for common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris). Dwarf lilacs such as ‘Miss Kim’ seldom need pruning, other than deadheading as the blooms fade. 

Finally, work in 2” of Earth Essentials sheep, peat and compost; add a balanced fertilizer, such as 11-15-11 and mulch to about 3”. Your lilac and other early flowering shrubs will be prepared for the rest of the summer and ready to bloom next spring. 

 

 

 

What to do about mushrooms in the lawn

Mushrooms growing in lawns and landscapes have become a common sight this spring. This is mainly due to the amount of moisture we have received during the month of May. While their presence can be a source of concern, most lawn mushrooms are not related to turf disease. It’s important to know that the fungi that produces mushrooms is always present in the soil your lawn is growing in. Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of the various fungi living in the soil.  When there’s enough moisture, the fungus blooms, producing the mushrooms we’re seeing now.  Mushrooms are basically fungal flowers, looking to reproduce by releasing spores (think flower pollen) into the air. While different varieties of fungi produce different fruit forms, the fruiting body typically consists of a cap and a stem.

Common lawn and garden mushrooms are white with domed caps. Brown as well as orange-colored mushrooms may also appear.  

 

The fruiting body is a small portion of the larger fungal life cycle. Known as mycelium, the main component of the mushroom organism remains active underground, forming an intricate root system of tiny threads called mycorrhizal networks. 

Mushroom mycelium are decomposers. They break down dead and decaying organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, thatch, and old roots.  If there is organic material available, the fungal system will continue to grow, and mushrooms will emerge again as soon as the growing conditions are right. In addition, it’s important to note that through this decomposing process, the mycelium network helps increase the nutrient availability, which helps your grass grow.  

What should you do about mushrooms growing in your lawn? Nothing. They’ll often disappear as quickly as they appeared.  Using fungicides is not recommended. Fungicides will not eliminate mushrooms. If the mushrooms really bother you, put on a pair of gloves and pick them up or use a broom to knock them down and then dispose of them.