Pruning Tips for Shrubs in Summer: What to Cut, What to Leave Alone in South Louisiana
Summer in South Louisiana isn’t shy — it’s hot, humid, and relentless. While your landscape is still growing strong, pruning in peak heat takes a smart, light-handed approach.
At Cultivate, we know that June pruning is all about balance. Do too much, and you’ll stress your plants. Do nothing, and things get wild. So if you’re eyeing those overgrown hedges before your July 4th cookout, here’s what you need to know.
Light Touch Only: Summer Is Not the Time to Go Hard
Unlike winter or early spring, June is NOT the season for hard pruning. The heat, paired with limited root recovery, can cause long-term stress or even permanent damage to shrubs if you cut back too aggressively.
Instead, think of summer pruning like a hair trim — clean up the edges, shape a little, but don’t chop it all off.
Shrubs & Trees You Can Prune in June
Here are a few common Louisiana plants that can handle light summer pruning:
Crape Myrtles
-Remove suckers from the base
-Clip off seed heads if desired for cleaner appearance
-DO NOT “top” or commit crape murder — ever.
Evergreen Hedges (Boxwood, Ligustrum, Podocarpus)
-Trim to shape for neat lines
-Cut only soft new growth, not woody stems
-Perfect timing for pre-holiday curb appeal
Azaleas
-June is your last call to trim spring bloomers
-Lightly shape only after they’ve finished blooming
-Heavy cuts now will hurt next season’s flowers
What to Leave Alone (for Now)
These plants should be left unpruned in the heat, or you risk shocking them:
-Camellias – Prune after they bloom in winter/spring
-Hydrangeas – Pruning now can eliminate next year’s blooms
-Gardenias – Avoid major cuts during flowering season
-Newly planted shrubs – Let them get established first
When in doubt, don’t cut it — or call us and we’ll evaluate it on-site.
Summer Pruning Tips from the Pros
Always use clean, sharp tools . Cut early in the morning or evening . Water the day before if it’s been dry . Mulch around base after trimming . Step back often — prune in stages
A little goes a long way when shaping plants during the summer heat.
Get Your Yard Ready for July 4th!
Barbecue season is here, and the last thing you want is your yard looking wild when friends and family roll up. Our Pruning & Hedge Shaping Services are perfect for:
-Formal front hedges
-Crape myrtles out of control
-Azaleas that need a polish
-Pre-event landscape refreshes
We serve Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, and the surrounding St. Tammany — reliable, fast, clean, and respectful of your plants' health.
Let Cultivate Clean Things Up Before the Fireworks Fly
Need a quick trim and tune-up? Want your yard looking its best for the summer heat?
Visit our Service Form to schedule your free estimate!
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