As summer begins to wind down in Tallahassee, it’s the perfect time to give your garden a little extra attention through end-of-summer pruning. Pruning at this time of year helps prepare your plants, trees, and flowers for the cooler months ahead, promoting healthy growth and vibrant blooms come spring. Here’s a guide to effective end-of-summer pruning for your garden in our unique Florida climate.

1. Pruning Trees

In our warm climate, end-of-summer pruning for trees helps manage their shape and health. Focus on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal infections. For deciduous trees, light pruning can help prepare them for the upcoming dormancy period. Avoid heavy pruning, which can stimulate new growth that may not harden off before the cooler weather sets in.

2. Pruning Shrubs

Shrubs benefit greatly from pruning around this time of year. Remove spent blooms and any dead or overgrown branches to encourage fresh growth. For flowering shrubs, such as hydrangeas and oleanders, prune back spent flowers and shape the plant to enhance its form. Be cautious with plants that bloom on old wood, as aggressive pruning may reduce next year’s blooms.

3. Pruning Flowers

For perennial flowers, the end of summer is a great time to tidy up your garden. Deadhead spent blooms to promote the final flush of flowers and remove any diseased or damaged foliage. This is also a good time to cut back overgrown plants, which will help them come back stronger next spring. For tender perennials that won’t survive a frost, it’s best to cut them back once the first signs of cold weather appear.

4. Caring for Tropical Plants

Tropical plants, which thrive in Tallahassee’s warm climate, may require special attention. Prune these plants to remove any old, tired growth and to encourage a more vigorous shape. Be mindful of the plant’s growth cycle and avoid cutting too aggressively, as it might not have enough time to recover before cooler weather.

5. Tips for Pruning

• Timing: Perform pruning early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid excessive stress on the plants.
• Tools: Use sharp, clean pruning shears or loppers to make clean cuts and reduce the risk of disease.
• Technique: Cut at a slight angle to promote faster healing and prevent water from collecting on the cut surface.
• Sanitize: If dealing with a diseased plant, sanitize after each cut to help stop the spread of disease.
• Clean Up: Dispose of any pruned material properly to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

End-of-summer pruning is a key practice for maintaining a healthy and beautiful garden in our area. By carefully tending to your plants, trees, and flowers, you’ll help them transition smoothly into the fall and winter months, setting the stage for a vibrant and flourishing garden come spring.

Pruning is only part of keeping your landscape healthy as summer winds down. Heat, heavy rainfall, humidity, insects, and months of active growth can all take a toll on plants. While you’re giving your landscape a late-summer cleanup, take a closer look for these common problems and address them before they become more serious.

Chlorosis – Your Plants May Be Hungry

If your plants are looking pale or yellow instead of healthy and green, they may be showing signs of chlorosis. This yellowing is often a sign that the plant isn’t getting the nutrients it needs. After a long growing season, many plants simply need to be fed.

The right fertilizer depends on what you’re growing:

• Annuals & Perennials: Use Gardeners Special to replenish nutrients and encourage healthy growth.

• Hanging Baskets & Potted Plants: Apply Osmocote for a slow, steady supply of nutrients.

• Trees & Shrubs: Feed with a 13-6-6 fertilizer to provide the nutrients needed for strong, healthy growth.

Fungus – Watch for Spots and Discolored Foliage

Late-summer heat and humidity can create ideal conditions for fungal problems. Watch for unusual spotting, discoloration, or damaged foliage that seems to be spreading through the plant.

At the first signs of fungus, treat the affected plant with a copper fungicide. For best results, make two applications, seven days apart. Remove heavily damaged or diseased foliage when appropriate, and avoid overhead watering when possible to help keep leaves dry.

Mealybugs – Look for White, Cottony Clusters

Mealybugs are small insects that often appear as white, cotton-like clusters on leaves, stems, and around new growth. They feed on plant sap and can weaken a plant when populations become large.

Treat active infestations with Triple Action. For additional protection, a Tree & Shrub Drench can provide systemic control by allowing the plant to absorb the treatment through its roots.

Scale – Check Stems and Leaves Closely

Scale insects can be easy to overlook because they often resemble small bumps attached to stems, branches, or leaves. Like mealybugs, they feed on plant sap and can cause yellowing, declining growth, and an overall unhealthy appearance.

Use horticultural oil to control scale on affected plants, making sure to follow label directions carefully. A Tree & Shrub Drench can also be used for systemic control on appropriate plants.

Don’t Guess — Let Us Help

Sometimes plant problems look very similar, and using the right product starts with correctly identifying what’s wrong. If you’re not sure what’s affecting your plants, bring photos or a sample of the affected plant to Esposito Garden Center. Our knowledgeable staff can help identify the problem and recommend the right solution to get your plants healthy again.

A little attention now can make a big difference heading into fall. By combining proper pruning with good nutrition and early treatment of pests and diseases, you can help your landscape recover from the stresses of summer and stay healthy through the changing seasons.