Mountain laurels, with their gorgeous star-shaped flowers and evergreen foliage, are a beloved ornamental shrub. While generally low-maintenance, pruning is an important part of keeping your mountain laurel healthy and looking its best. Here is a complete guide on how and when to prune mountain laurels for optimal growth.
When to Prune Mountain Laurels
Pruning mountain laurels is best done in early spring, right after the shrub has flowered. This allows time for the plant to produce new growth before winter. Pruning at this time also removes spent blooms, promoting better flowering the following season
Emergency pruning to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches can be done anytime Just be sure to sanitize your pruning tools before each cut to prevent disease spread.
How Often to Prune
Mountain laurels require very little regular pruning, Young shrubs may only need occasional pruning in the first 2-3 years to shape and thin growth
Mature, established shrubs may go years without needing pruning. However, it’s best to evaluate mountain laurels each spring after blooming and prune as needed.
Pruning Tools Needed
Having the right pruning tools on hand will make the job easier. For mountain laurel pruning you’ll need:
- Bypass hand pruners for smaller stems
- Loppers for thicker branches
- Pruning saw or bow saw for old branches or rejuvenation pruning
Always use clean, sharp tools to make smooth cuts and prevent injury to the plant.
How to Prune Mountain Laurels
Here are the steps for properly pruning mountain laurel shrubs:
1. Remove Dead or Damaged Growth
The first priority is to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Cuts should be made just outside the damaged area, into healthy tissue.
Disinfect tools after each cut to prevent disease spread. removing dead growth improves airflow and light penetration.
2. Cut Out Old or Overgrown Stems
Next, identify older stems that are either overgrown or declining in vigor. Cut these stems off at ground level to encourage new, healthy shoot growth.
Mountain laurels respond very well to rejuvenation pruning of this kind. Don’t be afraid to prune hard when needed.
3. Thin Excess Growth
If the shrub is becoming overcrowded, thin out stems growing from the center. This improves airflow and light exposure.
Look for branches with narrow crotch angles that may be weak; these should be removed. Cutting back about 1/3 of the oldest branches is a good guideline.
4. Shape and Trim The Canopy
Finally, step back and assess the overall shape and size of the shrub. Does it need shaping or size reduction?
Trim back errant or asymmetrical growth to shape the canopy. Avoid shearing the top, instead make selective cuts to branches.
Pruning Tips
- Never remove more than 1/3 of the total branches when pruning mountain laurels.
- Fertilize after pruning to encourage new growth. Use fertilizers formulated for acid-loving plants.
- Monitor for pests like bark beetles or signs of disease after pruning.
- Water mountain laurels during dry periods after pruning.
When to Avoid Pruning Mountain Laurels
Avoid pruning mountain laurel in summer or winter. Pruning during active growth periods interrupts the production of new buds. Late winter pruning can expose freshly cut branches to freeze damage.
Only prune in summer or winter if necessary to remove dead or hazardous growth. Otherwise stick to early spring pruning for best results.
Signs a Mountain Laurel Needs Pruning
Watch for these signs that your mountain laurel would benefit from corrective pruning:
- Declining flower production
- Overgrown, congested growth
- Dead or crossing/damaged branches
- Excessive dieback in older branches
- Leaves deep inside the canopy turning brown
Routine pruning every few years keeps mountain laurels revitalized, blooming abundantly, and looking their best. Follow these mountain laurel pruning tips and enjoy the beauty of this classic ornamental shrub for years to come.
When to Prune Mountain Laurel
If you want to prune mountain laurel, you should wait until the flowers are over in the early summer. The plants bloom on growth from the previous year. Pruning late in winter is only needed to control winter damaged branches or for major rejuvenation. Flower buds will be lost for one season, but the shrub will recover quickly through the summer. Heavy pruning should not remove more than ⅓ of the overall growth at once. This is the most important rule to follow. This reduces shock to the shrub and helps to preserve at least some of the flowers.
Why Prune Mountain Laurel
Pruning Mountain Laurel will encourage healthy flower bud formation and keep the overall structure strong and open. Air circulation is important for Broadleaf Evergreens. Many plants can get mildew and other fungal diseases that like it when there is too much water and too much foliage. A deep rejuvenation can help a shrub live longer in the garden or make room for it in a space that isn’t big enough for it when it grows up.
Q&A – Can I cut back mountain laurel bushes?
FAQ
When should mountain laurel be pruned?
How do you prune an overgrown laurel bush?
How to shape a mountain laurel?
How far back can you prune laurel?
Do mountain laurel trees need to be pruned?
Mountain laurel plants are very forgiving about hard pruning. However, a general rule of thumb when pruning trees and shrubs, is to never remove more than 1/3 of the plant in one pruning. First, prune out large branches that need rejuvenation. Next, remove dead, damaged or crossing branches.
How do you prune a mountain laurel?
When pruning a mountain laurel, it is always important to used sharp, clean tools. You may require hand pruners, loppers, a pruning saw or a bow saw, depending on the thickness of the branches you are trimming. Always make clean, smooth cuts, as jagged cuts can heal over slower, leaving the branch end open and susceptible to pests or disease.
Can mountain laurel be cut back?
Growing to a general height and width of five to eight feet (1.5 to 2 m.), cutting back mountain laurels may occasionally be necessary to fit the space they are in. To learn how to prune mountain laurel shrubs, keep reading. Aside from being a beautiful flowering evergreen, mountain laurel is also very popular for being low maintenance.
How do you care for mountain laurels?
First, prune out large branches that need rejuvenation. Next, remove dead, damaged or crossing branches. Then remove any water sprouts or branches that hinder air flow or light exposure. After pruning, it is a good idea to give mountain laurels a little boost with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants.