Linda Johnson hails from London, but has made Butler County her home for 22 years. While she is genetically predisposed to grow flowers, Linda also enjoys vegetable gardening. She recently became a Penn State Master Gardener.

Perhaps you have been eyeing up your garden over the winter and have decided to cut back some of your flowering bushes.

But, you wonder, when is the right time? How much should you take off? If you prune, will your shrub still flower this year? These are great questions, and here are a few points to keep in mind.

Why am I pruning?Consider each plant. Are you trying to maintain a healthy and vigorous bush, or is it consistently growing too big for its location?Pruning your shrub to keep it small might mean it’s the wrong plant for the location. Removing and replacing it with something better suited to the spot may be your best option.But if you are pruning to maintain the health or shape of the plant, there are more considerations.Do I have spring or summer flowering shrubs?Having determined that pruning is the right course, you need to know the right time. That depends on when your shrub flowers.Spring blooming shrubs include forsythias, rhododendrons, azaleas, spring-blooming spireas, lilacs and viburnums.These shrubs bloom on the previous year’s stems or old wood. The best time to prune them is immediately after they bloom this year because you will not impact next year’s flowering.Summer and fall blooming shrubs include butterfly bushes, beautyberries, buttonbushes, bush honeysuckles, many (but not all) hydrangeas, and summer-blooming spireas.These shrubs tend to bloom on this year’s growth or new wood, and should be pruned in either late winter or early in the spring, well before the plant flowers.

Do I have the right tools?You are now ready to prune. Select the right tool for the job and make sure that it is sharpened. Pruning shears cut branches up to one-half inch in diameter. A good set of long handled lopping shears will cut through branches up to 2 inches.To prevent transferring disease, sterilize your shears when moving from one plant to another using a solution of 70 percent rubbing alcohol or 10 percent bleach mixed with water.

What do I cut?Take a good look at your plant. Always keep in mind that by pruning, your goal is to improve the plant’s condition and appearance.Removing dead, damaged, or crossing stems should be the first order of business.Make sure that the center of your plant has good air circulation and light. Proper pruning reduces the likelihood of disease and stimulates new growth.

How do I cut?There are two basic pruning cuts:Thinning cuts remove a stem at its point of origin. This will help air and light reach the center of the plant.Heading cuts shorten a stem just above a bud closer to the top of the plant. This stimulates growth close to the wound. Heading cuts should be made about a quarter-inch above a growing bud, sloping down and away from the plant.A general rule is to remove the ends from no more than 25 percent of the branches during any growing season.Excessive heading cuts can result in extreme growth at the top of the plant, which may prevent adequate air circulation and light throughout the plant.If you have questions about pruning or other gardening topics, contact the Master Gardener Greenline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 229.