Podcast #226 – Pruning Ornamentals


Our focus here at Longleaf Breeze is on growing food, but we spend hours in February pruning ornamentals too.


We can defend our doing so, because ornamentals attract pollinators and provide habitat for beneficial insects, they help hold the soil in place, and let’s be honest: they’re pretty. And we’re unapologetic about liking pretty things.

This week’s podcast covers the importance of plant hygiene in pruning and basic principles about ornamental pruning. We even talk a little about how to recover from “crepe murder.”

Listen – 24:21

This dwarf jaupon holly wants more sun, so it's abandoning its "normal" domed shape to stretch toward the light. We're trying to reshape it gently; we'll let you know if we're successful.

This dwarf jaupon holly wants more sun, so it’s abandoning its “normal” domed shape to stretch toward the light. We’re trying to reshape it gently; we’ll let you know if we’re successful.


Here’s a nice description of the “three-cut” pruning technique we talked about
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The Longleaf Breeze Perennial Farm Calendar

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