How to Prune Broadleaf Plants

Hollies, boxwood and rhododendron are all broadleaf plants. Broadleaf plants come in both shrub form, like the barberry, or trees, like the magnolia. Because they are evergreen, plant-pruning practices differ slightly than they do with deciduous plants. Follow a general rule of thumb when pruning flowering broadleaf plants. If the plant flowers in the spring, prune it directly after flowering. If the broadleaf plant flowers in the summer, prune it in the late summer, fall or winter, in most cases.

Pruning shears
Pruning saw
Loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Cut of any dead, damaged or diseased foliage from the broadleaf plant any time of year. Cut the foliage out with the loppers or saw. Cut the branch down to the ground or the base of the plant.
- 2
  Prune back the largest and oldest branches on the broadleaf plants. Cut the branches back to the ground.
- 3
  Cut back the younger stems that are outgrowing the bounds you set for the plant. Trim them back with the shears to within the canopy of the plant.
- 4
  Cut out all the oldest growth of broadleaf plants over a two- to three-year period to rejuvenate the plant if it’s overgrown. Every year cut about one-third of the oldest growth to the ground with the saw or loppers. Cut back the new growth to within the canopy with the shears. This type of pruning may delay flowering for two to three years.

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